Complications and side-effects of foam sclerotherapy.
OBJECTIVE
To describe and report incidence and frequency of side-effects and complications of sclerotherapy with foamed sclerosing agents. To explain, when possible, their pathophysiology and to indicate possible manoeuvres and techniques to limit them.


METHODS
Review of current literature and personal research.


RESULTS
Complications of foam sclerotherapy include complications of sclerotherapy in general and specific complications of foamed sclerosing agents. Side-effects related to the sclerosing compounds are also taken into account.


CONCLUSIONS
Complications and side-effects of careful foam sclerotherapy remain uncommon. However, more research is needed to understand them better and to further reduce their incidence. Their description to patients in the course of the informed consent is a prerequisite to any sclerosing treatment.
Guex
J-J
JJ
Cabinet de Médecine Vasculaire, 32 Bd Dubouchage, 06000 Nice, France. jj.guex@wanadoo.fr
D003371:Cough / Q000209:etiology; D003902:Detergents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D004304:Dosage Forms; D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D020766:Intracranial Embolism / Q000209:etiology; D002546:Ischemic Attack, Transient / Q000209:etiology; D045423:Microbubbles / Q000009:adverse effects; D000077423:Polidocanol; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D012597:Sclerosing Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015911:Sclerotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D012981:Sodium Tetradecyl Sulfate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000628:therapy*; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000209:etiology
D003902:Detergents; D004304:Dosage Forms; D012597:Sclerosing Solutions; D000077423:Polidocanol; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012981:Sodium Tetradecyl Sulfate