title: Complications of sclerotherapy.
abstract: Sclerotherapy is the systematic, targeted elimination of intracutaneous and subcutaneous varicose, reticular, telangiectasias by the injection of a locally irritating chemical substance, called a sclerosant. The endpoint of this process is functionally analogous to surgical removal of a vein. However, regardless of the best of intentions, complications can and will occur with enough sclerotherapy treatments. Complications resulting from sclerotherapy can be divided into the following categories for ease of explanation: (1) frequent but transient, (2) rare but self-limited, and (3) rare but major. This article will focus on select complications in sclerotherapy, review the most common complications observed, and discuss how to minimize these in daily practice.
authors.affiliation: Dermatology, Laser, and Vein Specialists of the Carolinas, Charlotte, NC, USA. gmunava@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Girish S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Munavalli
authors.forename: Robert A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Weiss
mesh_terms: D003880:Dermatology; D006801:Humans; D017495:Hyperpigmentation / Q000209:etiology; D009336:Necrosis / Q000209:etiology; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D015911:Sclerotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013684:Telangiectasis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000628:therapy*