title: The removal of post-sclerotherapy pigmentation following sclerotherapy alone or in combination with crossectomy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sclerotherapy is a widely used method for the obliteration of blood vessels. Hyperpigmentation is a frequent complication that results from haemosiderin (FeO) accumulation. Hyperpigmentation and changes in the skin can be observed with ultrasound.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of hyperpigmentation elimination using an intense pulse light generator (IPL) equipped with radio waves (RF) under ultrasonography (US) control.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-one women with permanent hyperpigmentation (after sclerotherapy or crossectomy combined with sclerotherapy) underwent a hyperpigmentation eliminating therapy with the use of IPL + RF and were monitored by using US. The thicknesses of the dermis and the subcutaneous tissue as well as the echogenicities of each layer were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  As a result of the therapy, a complete regression of hyperpigmentation was achieved in 90.48% of the women, and in 9.52% of the women, the therapy led to a reduction in hyperpigmentation but did not cause its complete disappearance. An increase in dermal echogenicity and a decrease in subcutaneous tissue echogenicity were observed, but there was no change in their thicknesses. After the therapy, the ultrasound images of areas of previous hyperpigmentation corresponded with images that were characteristic of healthy skin.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  IPL + RF therapy is effective for eliminating permanent skin hyperpigmentation after sclerotherapy. US is also useful in this therapeutic method.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Imaging, II Medical Faculty, Medical University of Warsaw, Kondratowicza 8, 03-242 Warsaw, Poland. mpage@wp.pl
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Mlosek
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Woźniak
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Malinowska
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Migda
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Serafin-Król
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Miłek
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017495:Hyperpigmentation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D008026:Ligation; D008875:Middle Aged; D010789:Phototherapy / Q000379:methods*; D011044:Poland; D000078702:Radiofrequency Therapy; D015911:Sclerotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012880:Skin Pigmentation; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000628:therapy*; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures