Can Sclerotherapy cause blood clots?

I've heard that occasionally, small lumps of clotted blood can be felt after sclerotherapy. Aren't blood clots quite dangerous?

Answers from doctors (13)


Vascular Institute of Chattanooga

Published on Aug 02, 2019

Yes, but these are superficial blood clots, which are trapped and cannot embolize to the lungs or cause DVT. They resolve over a short period of time with minimal treatment.

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Answered by Vascular Institute of Chattanooga

Yes, but these are superficial blood clots, which are trapped and cannot embolize to the lungs or cause DVT. They resolve over a short period of time with minimal treatment.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


The Kimmel Institute

Published on May 13, 2013

Sclerotherapy is a term for the treatment of veins by injection of a medication into the vessel to cause it to close down. It can be done to both small spider veins, and to larger varicose veins. It is VERY rare for injection Sclerotherapy to cause a deep vein blood clot, however it can happen. More commonly, a small percentage of patients may get a superficial phlebitis, or inflammation with clot, of the veins that were injected. This is NOT a deep vein problem (which is much more serious, sometimes leading to a blood clot traveling to the lungs and even death). In experienced hands, Sclerotherapy is a safe and effective treatment for many vein problems.

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Answered by The Kimmel Institute

Sclerotherapy is a term for the treatment of veins by injection of a medication into the vessel to cause it to close down. It can be done to both small spider veins, and to larger varicose veins. It is VERY rare for injection Sclerotherapy to cause a deep vein blood clot, however it can happen. More commonly, a small percentage of patients may get a superficial phlebitis, or inflammation with clot, of the veins that were injected. This is NOT a deep vein problem (which is much more serious, sometimes leading to a blood clot traveling to the lungs and even death). In experienced hands, Sclerotherapy is a safe and effective treatment for many vein problems.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Treatment and Aesthetic Center

Published on Feb 08, 2013

In almost every treatment clots will occur where the injection took place. These clots will not travel or move to another location unless a very large vein was treated. This treatment is used mainly on smaller veins - veins that are close to the skin and not surrounded by muscles.

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Answered by Vein Treatment and Aesthetic Center

In almost every treatment clots will occur where the injection took place. These clots will not travel or move to another location unless a very large vein was treated. This treatment is used mainly on smaller veins - veins that are close to the skin and not surrounded by muscles.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Published on Aug 31, 2010

Blood clots could be dangerous if they involve the deep veins of the leg(DVT). This should not happen from sclerotherapy. After sclerotherapy blood can become trapped in the small veins and clot but this usually resolves over time and is not dangerous.

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Answered by Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Blood clots could be dangerous if they involve the deep veins of the leg(DVT). This should not happen from sclerotherapy. After sclerotherapy blood can become trapped in the small veins and clot but this usually resolves over time and is not dangerous.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


More About Doctor Laser Vein Center

Published on Feb 24, 2010

Sclerotherapy can cause blood clots with an open vessel which theoretically could present a concern. In practice however this is Extremely rare.
These type of "blood clots" are termed THROMBUS, which is a clot within an open blood vessel.
The lumps that you are referring to is clotted blood in a treated vein which by the treatment has been eliminated from the circulation. These types of clot are termed "Hematomas" which have essentially no health threat because they are trapped in the tissue and cannot travel. Typically these should be drained for purposes or comfort as well as appearance.

Answered by Laser Vein Center (View Profile)

Sclerotherapy can cause blood clots with an open vessel which theoretically could present a concern. In practice however this is Extremely rare.
These type of "blood clots" are termed THROMBUS, which is a clot within an open blood vessel.
The lumps that you are referring to is clotted blood in a treated vein which by the treatment has been eliminated from the circulation. These types of clot are termed "Hematomas" which have essentially no health threat because they are trapped in the tissue and cannot travel. Typically these should be drained for purposes or comfort as well as appearance.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Miller Vein

Published on Feb 23, 2010

Deep Venous Thrombois (DVT) is dangerous. DVT is rare with sclerotherapy which can occasionally cause superficial blood clots (which are typically not dangerous).

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Answered by Miller Vein

Deep Venous Thrombois (DVT) is dangerous. DVT is rare with sclerotherapy which can occasionally cause superficial blood clots (which are typically not dangerous).

Published on Jul 11, 2012


More About Doctor Innovative Vein

Published on Feb 21, 2010

These hard areas are areas of trapped blood. They are similar to a clot, but are not dangerous. They will be absorbed with time.

Answered by Innovative Vein (View Profile)

These hard areas are areas of trapped blood. They are similar to a clot, but are not dangerous. They will be absorbed with time.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Angelo N. Makris MD

Published on Feb 18, 2010

Yes it can, but they are only dangerous when they form in the deep veins.

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Answered by Angelo N. Makris MD

Yes it can, but they are only dangerous when they form in the deep veins.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


VeinSolutions - Edina

Published on Feb 18, 2010

Deep vein blood clots are dangerous, however it is highly unlikely that this would occur after sclerotherapy. What you have heard about is "trapped blood" at the injection sites. This is very superficial and not dangerous. You physician can simply drain the blood.




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Answered by VeinSolutions - Edina

Deep vein blood clots are dangerous, however it is highly unlikely that this would occur after sclerotherapy. What you have heard about is "trapped blood" at the injection sites. This is very superficial and not dangerous. You physician can simply drain the blood.




Published on Jul 11, 2012


Heart and Vein Center

Published on Feb 17, 2010

Blood clots on the veins are dangerous if they affect the deep vein system. Otherwise might be uncomfortable, perhaps painful but no dangerous.

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Answered by Heart and Vein Center

Blood clots on the veins are dangerous if they affect the deep vein system. Otherwise might be uncomfortable, perhaps painful but no dangerous.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


General Vascular Surgery Group

Published on Feb 17, 2010

Surface vein trapped blood/blot clots are quite common after sclerotherapy, and generally do not develop into dangerous Deep Vein Blood clots.

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Answered by General Vascular Surgery Group

Surface vein trapped blood/blot clots are quite common after sclerotherapy, and generally do not develop into dangerous Deep Vein Blood clots.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


The Jacksonville Vein Center

Published on Feb 17, 2010

Thrombophlebitis can occur with sclerotherapy. If they occur in the small superficial veins they are not dangerous merely painful and can be lessened by aspiration of the thrombus. Thrombus in the large, deep veins is a dangerous condition, but this rarely occurs with sclerotherapy of the superficial veins.

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Answered by The Jacksonville Vein Center

Thrombophlebitis can occur with sclerotherapy. If they occur in the small superficial veins they are not dangerous merely painful and can be lessened by aspiration of the thrombus. Thrombus in the large, deep veins is a dangerous condition, but this rarely occurs with sclerotherapy of the superficial veins.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Bella MD Laser Vein and Aesthetic Center

Published on Feb 17, 2010

The idea is to clot the spider veins. They are not dangerous.

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Answered by Bella MD Laser Vein and Aesthetic Center

The idea is to clot the spider veins. They are not dangerous.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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