At a Glance
Ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy treats the deeply rooted sources of reflux that cause surface varicosities and spiders. Ultrasound guides the physician quickly and precisely to the reflux location.
Desired results will likely be achieved within two months. Side effects and risks are minimal.
All diseased veins, from varicose to spider, are caused by abnormal blood leakage through faulty valves inside veins. Over time, this abnormal leakage of blood, also called reflux, causes veins visible on the skin surface to dilate and become varicose or spider veins. Conventional sclerotherapy uses FDA-approved drugs to close off undesired veins that are the source of this leakage.
However, some sources of reflux are too deep to be reached by a surface injection. Using advanced ultrasound and injection techniques, Dr. O'Hare can diagnose and treat the deeper sources of reflux that cause surface varicose veins and spiders. Once the root cause has been identified and treated, the varicose and spider veins caused by the leakage will disappear.
This procedure is quick, lasts 15 minutes to an hour, and is minimally invasive. Using ultrasound gives excellent precision as the physician injects sclerosing solution into the deep venous reflux. Many sessions may be required to achieve the desired results.
Ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy treats deep venous reflux causing surface varicosities and spiders. Once the source of the reflux is located and satisfactorily treated, the resulting diseased veins will disappear.
While the procedure treats the underlying cause of varicose veins and spiders, it cannot prevent future vein problems from surfacing due to new reflux sources.
Candidates for ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy have medium to large varicose or spider veins and want to see them disappear. Patience is a prerequisite for the procedure, as the process can require many sessions. Veins will not immediately look better and sometimes worse initially, but after approximately two months your legs will look markedly clearer.
Ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy is indicated when the source of the patient’s reflux is not accessible by conventional sclerotherapy.
Recovery from ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy is similar to that of surface sclerotherapy. Most patients can move about immediately after the procedure and return to work and regular activity the same day. After surgery, the physician will obligate you to use compression bandages or stockings to aid circulation. A short period of elevation may be required, but afterward, the patient should use regular walks or exercise to help promote vascular flow.
Blood clots and scabs will form on the inside of the treated vein due to the procedure. These scabs sometimes present themselves as bumps under the skin and eventually tenderness and discoloration as the body works to break them down.
This technique is much safer than surgical alternatives. Complications are rare in the hands of an experienced vein care specialist. Some side effects from the injection are discoloration of the vein under the skin, bruising or inflammation at the injection site, and allergic reactions from ingredients in the solution.
Matting can also occur, where your body forms many tiny blood vessels around the injection site. Matting will usually resolve independently but sometimes requires additional injections to relieve.