Varicose Vein Treatment with Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy

Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy: Vein Treatment Resulting in Improved Results

Ultrasound guided sclerotherapy is similar to the varicose vein treatment called sclerotherapy whereby sclerosing liquid or foam is injected into the affected vein. This liquid or foam sclerosant travels through the abnormal vein causing irreversible damage to the inside vein walls. The treated vein will then swell and spasm closed, resulting in the vein walls sealing together, obliterating the vessel lumen. This injured vessel will then form into an inert fibrotic cord that will gradually be reabsorbed by the body.

Ultrasound guided sclerotherapy is a special type of sclerotherapy that is employed when the varicose veins are larger, deeper and hidden. In this varicose vein removal treatment, a duplex (sonogram) ultrasound machine is utilized to locate and view the target varicose veins. This device maps the vessels in the lower leg displaying all the abnormal veins, arteries, and deep veins. The doctor will use this data to determine the best varicose vein treatment plan.

During the procedure, the ultrasonagrapher will identify, locate, and present each target abnormal vein to the phlebologist for insertion of a catheter into the vein. Once the catheter reaches the designated area, the sclerosing foam is injected. Since sclerosant foam is visible on the ultrasound, the foam can be viewed and guided to specific vein areas. This varicose vein treatment method allows the doctor to deliver the foam to an exact location and to monitor the quantity injected. Foam sclerosant is stronger and longer dwelling that liquid sclerosant, and hence can be a stronger and more effective solution to larger and more resistant veins.

This varicose vein treatment option may be an ideal choice for those who have had vein stripping done previously with less than optimal results or significant recurrence of varicose veins.

What are the Advantages of Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy?

Ultrasound guided sclerotherapy offers many benefits over conventional sclerotherapy. Here are a few of these benefits.

• The use of the duplex ultrasound machine allows deeper veins to be treated, which are normally not visible to the eye. This varicose vein treatment method can also be used when veins are very close to the skin and a laser cannot heat seal them. It is also advised when varicose veins are too numerous, too tortuous or too resistant for other varicose vein treatment options.
• Healthy blood vessels are not injured during the course of this varicose vein treatment because the ultrasound machine monitors the movement of the catheter and the injection of the foam.
• Previously inaccessible regions such as the perforator veins between the knee and the groin can now be treated with this varicose vein treatment. Before, the only way to treat these deeper veins was open vein surgery. Also larger veins originating in the pelvis and affecting the groin, perineum and vulvar areas can effectively and safely be treated with ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy. Foam sclerotherapy can also be used to treat the bed of unhealthy veins underneath chronic ankle skin ulcerations caused from varicose veins.
• There is no down time and you can return to work and your normal routine quickly. However, lack of movement and sedentary behavior must be avoided immediately following treatment.
• This varicose vein treatment is less expensive than surgery.
• You may experience mild pain and bruising in the area after the treatment. However, it will all go away quickly, typically in less than a month.
• Most medical insurers cover ultrasound guided sclerotherapy, and Midwest Vein Care can help you file an insurance claim for this varicose vein treatment.

Learn More About Varicose Vein Treatment at Midwest Vein Care

Ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy is a great technique to treat large hidden varicose veins and other difficult to treat veins. To learn more about ultrasound guided foam vein treatment or any other varicose vein treatment options, call us today at 636-536-0241.