The evolution of ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy.
To know the future one must look to the past.


OBJECTIVE
To review the history of sclerotherapy and the application of duplex ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy (UFS) to the treatment of varicose veins.


METHODS
The development of sclerotherapy in the treatment of varicose veins during the last century is described with the introduction of ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy during the last decade. Foam sclerotherapy is described and the possible side effects are discussed. No long-term (10 years) random trial results are yet available.


CONCLUSIONS
Ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy is a useful technique in the management of chronic venous disease.
Vandendriessche
M
M
Department of Surgery, AZ. Maria Middelares, Gent, Belgium. mvandendriessche@hotmail.com
Hobbs
J T
JT
D002908:Chronic Disease; D006801:Humans; D012597:Sclerosing Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015911:Sclerotherapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D018616:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex; D014647:Varicose Ulcer / Q000628:therapy; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000628:therapy*
D012597:Sclerosing Solutions