Or can it be done without?
Sclerotherapy does not require ultrasound guidance if the veins can be visualized. Ultrasound guidance is usually utilized for varicose veins that cannot be visualized. Foam sclerotherapy refers to the processing of the sclerosant solution - the actual treatment and the chemical composition is the same whether the solution has or has not been 'foamed'.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
It can be done without. However, ultrasound can be really helpful in locating the feeder vein to a cluster of varicosities. This can make for a more effective injection.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Foam sclerotherapy can be used on many types of veins. For larger veins that cannot be seen on the surface ultrasound is commonly used. For veins that can be visualized with special magnifying and lighting vein lights, ultrasound is not necessary.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Foam sclerotherapy is typically used for larger veins that are not visible on the skin surface and therefore the answer is yes, ultrasound is necessary. The tiny superficial veins that are treated with sclerotherapy do not require "foaming." Making a sclerosant foamed causes it to be stronger. Some physicians like to treat the veins known as reticular veins with foam. These are the visible veins that are larger than spider veins but smaller than varicose veins. They "feed" the spider veins. In this circumstance, ultrasound would not be necessary.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Foam sclerotherapy is typically used for larger veins that are not visible on the skin surface and therefore the answer is yes, ultrasound is necessary. The tiny superficial veins that are treated with sclerotherapy do not require "foaming." Making a sclerosant foamed causes it to be stronger. Some physicians like to treat the veins known as reticular veins with foam. These are the visible veins that are larger than spider veins but smaller than varicose veins. They "feed" the spider veins. In this circumstance, ultrasound would not be necessary.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
Many physicians will only perform foam sclerotherapy with ultrasound guidance. Some do without guidance. My opinion is that the stronger solutions that are foamed should be injected with guidance with ultrasound.
Published on Jul 11, 2012
No, in most cases, ultrasound is not necessary.
Published on Jul 11, 2012