Revista do Colégio Brasileiro de Cirurgiões ()

Ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy for severe chronic venous insufficiency

  • Guilherme Camargo Gonçalves de-Abreu,
  • Otacílio de Camargo Júnior,
  • Márcia Fayad Marcondes de-Abreu,
  • José Luís Braga de-Aquino

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1590/0100-69912017005014
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 44, no. 5
pp. 511 – 520

Abstract

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ABSTRACT Chronic venous insufficiency is characterized by cutaneous alterations caused by venous hypertension; in severe forms, it progresses to lower limb ulcers. Lower limb varicose veins are the main cause of chronic venous insufficiency, and the classic treatment includes surgery and compressive therapy. Minimally invasive alternative treatments for varicose veins include new techniques such as venous thermal ablation using laser or radiofrequency. The use of different methods depends on clinical and anatomical factors. Ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy is the venous injection of sclerosing foam controlled by Doppler ultrasound. Sclerotherapy is very useful to treat varicose veins, and probably, is cheaper than other methods. However, until the present, it is the less studied method.

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