title: Foam sclerotherapy for reticular veins of the chest: a retrospective review of efficacy and safety.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  No study has evaluated the use of foam sclerotherapy in treating clinically conspicuous reticular chest veins.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This retrospective study evaluates patient-rated efficacy, safety, and satisfaction after foam sclerotherapy for reticular veins of the chest.
  
  
  METHODS
  A telephone-based questionnaire was used for patient self-assessment of overall improvement, satisfaction, and adverse events. All patients had been treated with 0.25% to 0.50% sodium tetradecyl sulfate (STS) foam using room air (1:4 ratio). The mean length of follow-up was 3.7 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twelve of 23 patients were successfully contacted, with a total of 14 treatment sessions. Overall, patients reported scores of 2.4 ± 0.8 for overall improvement (0 = none, 1 = mild, 2 = moderate, and 3 = complete resolution) and 1.75 ± 0.6 for satisfaction with results (0 = not satisfied at all, 1 = mildly satisfied, and 2 = very satisfied), with minor treatment-related adverse events.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Foam sclerotherapy with STS is effective for management of reticular veins of the chest with an excellent safety profile and high long-term patient satisfaction.
authors.affiliation: *Westlake Dermatology Clinical Research Center, Westlake Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery, Austin, Texas; †Goldman, Butterwick, Fitzpatrick, Groff, & Fabi: Cosmetic Laser Dermatology, San Diego, California; ‡Department of Dermatology, University of California at San Diego, San Diego, California; §Department of Dermatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.
authors.forename: Daniel P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Friedmann
authors.forename: Mitchel P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Goldman
authors.forename: Andres E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Cruz-Inigo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003357:Cosmetic Techniques / Q000009:adverse effects; D004487:Edema / Q000209:etiology; D004890:Erythema / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012597:Sclerosing Solutions / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015911:Sclerotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply*; D012981:Sodium Tetradecyl Sulfate / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D060726:Torso; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014680:Veins; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D012597:Sclerosing Solutions; D012981:Sodium Tetradecyl Sulfate