title: An investigation of side-effects and efficacy of foam-based sclerotherapy with carbon dioxide or room air in the treatment of reticular leg veins: a pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In sclerotherapy, carbon dioxide (CO(2)) or room air can be employed by phlebologists for foam creation. We compared room air (RA) and carbon dioxide in treating reticular leg veins with foam sclerotherapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty patients were randomly treated with RA- or CO(2)-created sodium tetradecyl sulphate (STS) foam. Concentration and volume of STS, side-effects and efficacy were determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no difference in the efficacy, local side-effects or distant side-effects between RA and CO(2) foam in the treatment of reticular leg veins. The total volume of foam sclerosant required for treatment was greater with CO(2) compared with RA (P value = 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  No differences were found in efficacy or side-effects between RA- and CO(2)-foam sclerotherapy for reticular leg veins. CO(2) foam's shorter half-life was hypothesized to be responsible for larger total volumes of CO(2) foam sclerosant.
authors.affiliation: Dermatology Cosmetic Laser Associates of La Jolla, San Diego, CA 92121, USA. jdd4920@hotmail.com
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Peterson
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Goldman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000388:Air; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012597:Sclerosing Solutions / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015911:Sclerotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D012981:Sodium Tetradecyl Sulfate / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D012597:Sclerosing Solutions; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D012981:Sodium Tetradecyl Sulfate