title: Catheter-directed foam sclerotherapy of axial saphenous reflux: early results.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Foam sclerotherapy of the great saphenous vein is a relatively new and promising treatment option for patients with axial reflux. Its usefulness may be limited by low primary occlusion rates. We present a standard technique for catheter-directed foam sclerotherapy, which facilitates foam delivery precisely to its intended site of action and potentially improves occlusion rates.
  
  
  METHODS
  A consecutive series of 53 patients were treated with foam sclerotherapy using a standard technique for foam delivery at Malmö University Hospital between September 2006 and April 2007. Patients were treated with 3% polidocanol foam through an introducer sheath, which was inserted percutaneously over a guidewire in the great saphenous vein (GSV). All successfully treated patients were examined by colour duplex one week after the procedure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Primary technical success with delivery of foam along the length of the GSV was achieved in 50 of 53 limbs (94%). All treated GSVs were occluded at one week duplex.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of an endovascular sheath inserted percutaneously over a guidewire under duplex ultrasound control is feasible in most patients and has resulted in high primary occlusion rates.
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular Diseases, University Hospital MAS, Malmö, Sweden. tilo.kolbel@skane.se
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kölbel
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Hinchliffe
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lindblad
mesh_terms: D002404:Catheterization; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D000077423:Polidocanol; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012597:Sclerosing Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015911:Sclerotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color; D018616:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D014689:Venous Insufficiency / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D012597:Sclerosing Solutions; D000077423:Polidocanol; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols