What is the difference between Sclerotherapy and Foam Sclerotherapy?

I'm looking to treat my spider veins with Sclerotherapy, but have no idea what the difference between foam and traditional sclerotherapy are.

Answers from doctors (7)


Vein Specialties of St. Louis

Published on Sep 14, 2018

Effective sclerotherapy is a combination of both foam and liquid. The deeper "feeder" reticular veins are often treated with a foamed solution as it makes better contact with the vein wall and stays in the vein longer. It can be a slightly stronger solution. The small surface spider veins are injected with a weaker liquid solution. Spider veins, in some cases, can also be treated with laser if not too large or extensive.

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Answered by Vein Specialties of St. Louis

Effective sclerotherapy is a combination of both foam and liquid. The deeper "feeder" reticular veins are often treated with a foamed solution as it makes better contact with the vein wall and stays in the vein longer. It can be a slightly stronger solution. The small surface spider veins are injected with a weaker liquid solution. Spider veins, in some cases, can also be treated with laser if not too large or extensive.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Columbia Doctors Interventional Radiology

Published on Jan 25, 2013

Sclerotherapy is just the injection of veins with a liquid that is caustic to the vein walls, and causes the vein to close down. Foam sclerotherapy is when we do the injection with a liquid mixed with a gas like air or carbon dioxide. It makes the injection more potent.

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Answered by Columbia Doctors Interventional Radiology

Sclerotherapy is just the injection of veins with a liquid that is caustic to the vein walls, and causes the vein to close down. Foam sclerotherapy is when we do the injection with a liquid mixed with a gas like air or carbon dioxide. It makes the injection more potent.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Heart and Vein Center

Published on Jan 10, 2012

Sclerotherapy consist of injecting a chemical product into the veins to induce an inflamatory reaction in the veins so that the body will eventually react, form and scar and "disolve" the vein.
There are several products available, however there are two that are the most used and effective ones: Sotradecol and Polydecanol. Both are approved by the FDA for this purpose.
These drugs are liquid and depending on the size and location of the vein can be injected as it is, meaning liquid or can be mixed with air or carbon monoxide and create a foam and then inject into the veins. The foam has been found to be very safe (when used appropiately) for the treatment of veins that are a bit larger than spiders (reticulars). Spiders in general are treated with liquid drug ("traditional sclerotherapy").
Rodolfo D. Farhy, MD, FACC, FAHA

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Answered by Heart and Vein Center

Sclerotherapy consist of injecting a chemical product into the veins to induce an inflamatory reaction in the veins so that the body will eventually react, form and scar and "disolve" the vein.
There are several products available, however there are two that are the most used and effective ones: Sotradecol and Polydecanol. Both are approved by the FDA for this purpose.
These drugs are liquid and depending on the size and location of the vein can be injected as it is, meaning liquid or can be mixed with air or carbon monoxide and create a foam and then inject into the veins. The foam has been found to be very safe (when used appropiately) for the treatment of veins that are a bit larger than spiders (reticulars). Spiders in general are treated with liquid drug ("traditional sclerotherapy").
Rodolfo D. Farhy, MD, FACC, FAHA

Published on Jul 11, 2012


General Vascular Surgery Group

Published on Jan 10, 2012

Foam involes making the medication into a foam form so that it is visible on ultrasound. Generally used for the larger eeper veins. Spider veins are usually treated with the regular solution.
Michael D. Ingegno, MD

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Answered by General Vascular Surgery Group

Foam involes making the medication into a foam form so that it is visible on ultrasound. Generally used for the larger eeper veins. Spider veins are usually treated with the regular solution.
Michael D. Ingegno, MD

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Specialists

Published on Jan 10, 2012

Liquid sclerotherapy is usually the best form of treatment for spiders and
small reticular veins. Foam is the process of mixing a small amount of air
with the liquid creating a 3dimensional quality which theoretically will
contact more of the internal circumference of the larger veins. I reserve
foam for larger veins and stick with liquid sclerotherapy for 95% or more of
my patients. Hope this has helped.
Dr. Magnant



From: VeinDirectory.org Questions & Answers System
[mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Thursday, December 15, 2011 2:07 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Patient Question from VeinDirectory.org ID:28529
Importance: High

PATIENT QUESTION
ID:28529
Question: What is the difference between Sclerotherapy and Foam
Sclerotherapy?
Procedure: Sclerotherapy
Question Detail: I'm looking to treat my spider veins with Sclerotherapy,
but have no idea what the difference between foam and traditional
sclerotherapy are.
***********************************
Please answer this question by using the reply button. The original content
and subject should not be modified, otherwise your answer will not be valid.

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Answered by Vein Specialists

Liquid sclerotherapy is usually the best form of treatment for spiders and
small reticular veins. Foam is the process of mixing a small amount of air
with the liquid creating a 3dimensional quality which theoretically will
contact more of the internal circumference of the larger veins. I reserve
foam for larger veins and stick with liquid sclerotherapy for 95% or more of
my patients. Hope this has helped.
Dr. Magnant



From: VeinDirectory.org Questions & Answers System
[mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Thursday, December 15, 2011 2:07 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Patient Question from VeinDirectory.org ID:28529
Importance: High

PATIENT QUESTION
ID:28529
Question: What is the difference between Sclerotherapy and Foam
Sclerotherapy?
Procedure: Sclerotherapy
Question Detail: I'm looking to treat my spider veins with Sclerotherapy,
but have no idea what the difference between foam and traditional
sclerotherapy are.
***********************************
Please answer this question by using the reply button. The original content
and subject should not be modified, otherwise your answer will not be valid.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Miller Vein

Published on Dec 20, 2011

Foam increases the "strength" of sclerotherapy. It is useful for larger veins. Traditional liquid sclerotherapy is still the best option for the tiny veins.

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Answered by Miller Vein

Foam increases the "strength" of sclerotherapy. It is useful for larger veins. Traditional liquid sclerotherapy is still the best option for the tiny veins.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Published on Dec 15, 2011

Sclerotherapy is the injection of a chemical into a vein to dissolve or close the vein. Traditional sclerotherapy used a liquid sclerosing solution to accomplish this such as hypertonic saline or tetradecylsulfate(STD). Now polidocanol is also used. Some solutions(STD or Polidocanol) can be mixed with air or CO2 to form a foam which can then be injected.

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Answered by Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Sclerotherapy is the injection of a chemical into a vein to dissolve or close the vein. Traditional sclerotherapy used a liquid sclerosing solution to accomplish this such as hypertonic saline or tetradecylsulfate(STD). Now polidocanol is also used. Some solutions(STD or Polidocanol) can be mixed with air or CO2 to form a foam which can then be injected.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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