title: Fluoroscopy-guided endovenous foam sclerotherapy using a microcatheter in varicose tributaries followed by endovenous laser treatment of incompetent saphenous veins: technical feasibility and early results.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the technical feasibility and preliminary results of endovenous foam sclerotherapy using a microcatheter in varicose tributaries followed by endovenous laser treatment (EVLT) of incompetent saphenous veins.
  
  
  METHODS
  From July 2005 to August 2006, 312 patients (M:F=139:173, mean age 45.8) who presented with varicose veins with reflux in the saphenofemoral, saphenopopliteal junction or tributaries were enrolled. Under ultrasound or fluoroscopy guidance, selective microcatheterization and endovenous foam slcerotherapy were first performed in varicose tributaries, followed by EVLT (980 nm) of incompetent saphenous veins. Follow-up at 1-week and 1-, 3-, and 6-month intervals was done.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Technical success was seen in 410 of 411 limbs (99%). Continued closure of the saphenous veins and the complete sclerosis of varicose tributaries were noted in 332 of 373 limbs (89%) at the 1-month follow-up, all 307 limbs (100%) at the 3-month follow-up, and all 274 limbs (100%) at the 6-month follow-up. No serious complication was noted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Endovenous foam sclerotherapy using a microcatheter in varicose tributaries followed by EVLT in incompetent saphenous veins is a safe, effective, and technically feasible treatment for varicose veins. It not only reduces additional sclerotherapy and technical failure, but also makes multiple therapeutic sessions unnecessary.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Kunkuk University Hosptial, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Sang Woo
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Ik Jin
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Yun
authors.forename: Jae Joon
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: Song Am
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Jun Seok
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Seong-Hwan
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Hyun Keun
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Chee
authors.forename: Ho Chul
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Kyung
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Sang Joon
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017546:Angioscopy / Q000379:methods; D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008904:Miniaturization; D010690:Phlebography; D000077423:Polidocanol; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012501:Saphenous Vein; D012597:Sclerosing Solutions / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015911:Sclerotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D014014:Tissue Adhesives; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D012597:Sclerosing Solutions; D014014:Tissue Adhesives; D000077423:Polidocanol; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols