Why it's done
By Mayo Clinic staffSclerotherapy is often done for:
- Cosmetic purposes — to improve the appearance of varicose and spider veins
The procedure also can improve related symptoms such as:
- Aching
- Swelling
- Burning
- Night cramps
If you're pregnant, doctors recommend waiting until after your pregnancy to have sclerotherapy done.
References
- Sclerotherapy of varicose veins and spider veins. Radiological Society of North America. www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=sclerotherapy. Accessed May 13, 2010.
- Varicose veins and spider veins. National Women's Health Information Center. http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/varicose-spider-veins.pdf. Accessed May 13, 2010.
- Vein treatments: What to expect before, during, and after. American Academy of Dermatology. http://www.skincarephysicians.com/agingskinnet/vein_treatments_expect.html. Accessed May 13, 2010.
- Parsons ME. Sclerotherapy basics. Dermatologic Clinics. 2004;22:501.
- Greenberg DL, et al. Liquid and foam sclerotherapy techniques for lower extremity vein ablation. http://www.uptodate.com. Accessed May 14, 2010.
- Jia X, et al. Systematic review of foam sclerotherapy for varicose veins. British Journal of Surgery. 2007;94:925.
- Tisi PV, et al. Injection sclerotherapy for varicose veins (review). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2006:CD001732. http://www.mrw.interscience.wiley.com/cochrane/clsysrev/articles/CD001732/frame.html. Accessed May 14, 2010.

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