Sclerosants: a comparative review.
BACKGROUND
Sclerotherapy is popular for the treatment of lower extremity telangiectasias and varicose and reticular veins. Although a large number of sclerosants are commonly employed, there are few data that directly compare their advantages and drawbacks.


OBJECTIVE
To analyze and present the differences between sclerosants that make them more or less suitable agents in specific clinical applications.


METHODS
A systemic review of published medical literature that compares and contrasts different classes of sclerosants is presented.


RESULTS
There is no perfect sclerosant that is complication free and 100% effective. The ability to match the sclerosant to the clinical problem being approached makes the availability of more Food and Drug Administration-approved sclerosants appealing.


CONCLUSIONS
Modern sclerosants that have been subjected to rigorous experimental and clinical trials will provide even more efficacious and safer patient treatments.
Duffy
David M
DM
Department of Medicine, Division of Dermatology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA. info@drdavidmduffy.com
D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003902:Detergents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017277:Drug Approval; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004356:Drug Storage; D006801:Humans; D045423:Microbubbles; D000077423:Polidocanol; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012597:Sclerosing Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015911:Sclerotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D012981:Sodium Tetradecyl Sulfate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014481:United States; D014486:United States Food and Drug Administration; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000628:therapy*
D003902:Detergents; D012597:Sclerosing Solutions; D000077423:Polidocanol; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012981:Sodium Tetradecyl Sulfate