subject: Defining Sclerotherapy: [print this page] Sclerotherapy a procedural treatment of blood vessels and blood vessel malformations (sometimes referred to as vascular malformations) and other malformations of the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system refers to the tissues and organs that produce, store, and carry white blood cells that fight infection and disease.
The lymphatic system incorporates: bone marrow, spleen, thymus, lymph nodes, and lymphatic vessels. The lymphatic vessels branch in a way that is similar to the blood vessels of the circulatory system. In similar fashion they branch into all the tissues of the body. During a proper sclerotherapy treatment medicine is injected directly into the vessels. This makes them shrink. Children and young adults who have vascular or lymphatic malformations often undergo the procedure for correction. Adults who access sclerotherapy are often attempting to treat either varicose veins or hemorrhoids.
Varicose veins are most typically discovered in the legs of patients. The varicose vein appears as an abnormal swelling. And they are most often found in superficial veins.
A hemorrhoid is basically a dilated vein that is found in swollen tissues near the edge of the anus. They are also found at times in the area around the rectum.
About Sclerotherapy:
As already mentioned, sclerotherapy is an appropriate treatment for both varicose veins and venous malformations. Additional forms of treatment can be accessed as an alternative to sclerotherapy. Some alternative (and effective) treatments include: radiofrequency, laser ablation, and surgery. Physicians usually take advantage of ultrasound guidance when administering sclerotherapy. This enables them to deliver medicinal injections while simultaneously monitoring a visualization of the underlying veins.
Recovery from Sclerotherapy procedures:
Complications as a result of sclerotherapy are rare. These rare complications could result in: venous thromboembolism, visual disturbances, allergic reaction, thrombophlebitis, skin necrosis, and hyperpigmentation. When sclerotherapy is conducted appropriately and the injection is administered properly into the vein there is no damage to the skin in the surrounding area.
Problems may ensue if the injections are not administered accurately; if they are injected outside of the vein. In this case both scarring and tissue necrosis can ensue.
