Ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy

Ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy

Foam sclerotherapy is a fairly new method for injecting varicose veins, in which foam is used rather than fluid. This foam has a stronger effect than fluid. Foam sclerotherapy can therefore be used to inject larger varicose veins. It can be used instead of surgical or endovenous treatment in large vessels, and instead of fluid sclerotherapy in smaller vessels. In large veins that lie deeper, the foam is injected under ultrasound (duplex) guidance.

Any questions?

If you have any questions, please contact us during consultation hours at 020 8203465.

Prices

Ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy €220.00 (per leg)
Elastic compression stockings €29 (per stocking)

Reimbursements

Ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy is usually not covered by health insurance (sometimes it is covered by supplementary health insurance).
You must have a referral note from your GP for all treatments covered by health insurance.
If you have been referred by your GP, your first appointment for an intake interview and ultrasound (duplex) scan of the legs is covered by health insurance.

Questions?

The information about ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy is meant to complement the information provided by the physician during the consultation. The general nature of the information cannot always do justice to each individual situation. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask your treating physician or call the clinic at 020 820 34 65. You can also call this number if you experience pain or adverse effects after treatment.

Treatment: echosclerosis (ultrasound-guided foam sclerosis)

Echosclerosis is a treatment of varicose veins using an ultrasound device (Duplex). It usually involves varicose veins that are not visible to the naked eye. A varicose vein is a vein in which one or more valves no longer work properly. The valves in veins are needed to help the blood from the legs rise against gravity towards the heart. If the valves are not working properly, blood accumulates in the vein, which then expands. This can cause symptoms such as swollen legs, a painful or tired feeling in the legs, or visible varicose veins in the lower legs.

Duration of treatment

The treatment takes about 20 minutes.

Before treatment

We ask you not to use creams, lotions or bath oils on the day of treatment. Shaving is not necessary.
Report anticoagulant use, and allergies to the doctor in advance.
You may eat and drink anything before the procedure.
Driving a car and cycling may be difficult due to the pressure bandage. Preferably take someone with you to accompany you.
If you have therapeutic elastic stockings, please bring them with you.

The treatment

After careful inspection, treatment of the vein will take place by injecting a foam made of Aethoxysklerol. An ultrasound machine is used to find the right vein. You will feel a prick from the (thin) needle; the injection is painless. A foam pad or cotton roll is sometimes placed at the site of the injected vein, with a bandage and elastic stocking (up to the groin) over this.

In the presence of multiple varicose veins, or in case of incomplete results, a second treatment is sometimes carried out. The doctor will inform you of this.

After treatment

Immediately after treatment, you are advised to walk for 15 minutes.

Going home

You may go home after the treatment. Using your own or public transport is no problem, provided you walk for 15 minutes immediately after treatment.

Home again

You will wear the stocking day and night for two days. Then you can shower again and wear the stocking for another two days, only during the day. The stockings can be washed at 30 degrees so that you can reuse them for any subsequent treatment.

In the first two weeks, you are advised to exercise regularly (every hour) during the day, for example by walking, cycling or hiking. Prolonged standing is best avoided.
Intensive sports (running, cycling, weight lifting, aerobics) are not recommended in the first two weeks after treatment, as are long car or plane trips or taking hot baths/showers/saunas.
Zone exposure can stimulate pigmentation, use good sun protection (at least SPF 30).

Check-up

A check-up appointment is made after the treatment. Always bring the stockings with you so that any follow-up treatment can be done immediately.

Possible complications and/or side effects

The treatment generally has few complications. The injection of the fluid causes inflammation of the inside of the varicose vein over days, causing it to adhere and grow closed. You usually won’t feel this. The injected vein may be somewhat red and painful; sometimes redness, itching or pain occurs due to the patches. Sometimes over the weeks, hardening occurs at the site of the treated vein. This is a normal reaction, but if this causes a lot of pain, please contact us.

A light brown discolouration of the skin may occur in the course of the treated vein. This is a harmless phenomenon that usually disappears after a few weeks to months.

The most important yet rare complication is the occurrence of a deep vein thrombosis (thrombosed leg). This involves a clot forming in a deep, larger vein, blocking blood flow. In this process, the entire lower leg can become painful and swollen. If you suspect a thrombosis leg, you should always contact the outpatient clinic immediately.

Questions/contact

This information on echosclerosis is intended to complement the discussion with the doctor. The general nature of the information cannot always do justice to every individual situation.

If you still have questions after reading this information, please feel free to ask the doctor, or call Medical Centre Wetering: 020-8203465. Office hours: 08.30-16.30. In case of emergency, the doctor can also be reached outside these hours on the same number, choice 0 from the menu.