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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffSclerotherapy effectively treats varicose and spider veins. It's often considered the treatment of choice for small varicose veins. Sclerotherapy involves injecting a solution directly into the vein. The sclerotherapy solution causes the vein to scar and collapse, forcing blood to reroute through healthier veins. The collapsed vein is reabsorbed into local tissue and eventually fades.
After sclerotherapy, treated veins tend to fade within a few weeks, although occasionally it may take up to a month to see the full results. In some instances, several sclerotherapy treatments may be needed.
- 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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