Ultrasound-guided percutaneous coil embolization of incompetent perforating veins: not effective for treatment of venous ulcers and recurrent varicosities.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the feasibility of ultrasound-guided percutaneous coil embolization of incompetent perforating veins as minimally invasive treatment for venous ulcers and recurrent varicosities in the lower leg. This could be an alternative to surgical ligation of perforating veins.


METHODS
In 15 patients (six women, nine men; mean age, 50 years), 18 incompetent perforating veins in the lower leg were treated by ultrasound-guided percutaneous placement of embolization coils.


RESULTS
Successful vein occlusion with one or more coils was achieved in 12 of the 18 veins (technical success rate, 67%). Clinical symptoms improved in only three of the 15 patients (clinical success rate, 20%). During follow-up (2-12 months), recanalization of coil embolized veins occurred in nine of the 12 initially occluded veins.


CONCLUSIONS
Percutaneous ultrasound-guided coil embolization does not appear to be as effective as subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery in the treatment of incompetent perforator veins.
van Dijk
L C
LC
Department of Radiology, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam "Dijkzigt", The Netherlands.
Wittens
C H
CH
Toonder
I M
IM
Laméris
J S
JS
du Bois
N A
NA
Pattynama
P M
PM
D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional; D014647:Varicose Ulcer / Q000628:therapy*