Month: January 2009

Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy

by

ultrasound-sclerotherapy

Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy for the Removal of Varicose Veins
Ultrasound guided sclerotherapy is the perfect option for people who want to get rid of their varicose veins quickly and painlessly. This treatment is very good at removing clusters of spider veins, specifically if they are interlinked with larger varicose veins. Varicose veins are larger veins that are dead and they usually are extremely painful.  There is a good possibility that ultrasound guided sclerotherapy will be able eliminate these veins and it is a much cheaper alternative to surgery.

The Procedure of Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy

Ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy is not used to treat very thin and tiny veins like spider veins. The reason for this is that the vein needs to be big enough to receive a solution that will be injected through the needle.

With ultrasound sclerotherapy, usually the treatment lasts between twenty minutes to an hour. This all depends on how big the vein(s) is. During the treatment, a sclerosing solution is injected into the affected veins using a very small needle. Once the vein gets the agent, then they will then get smaller and eventually collapse. The procedure is very simple and it is not painful. Many people have it done without any painkillers or anesthesia.
After the treatment, you will have to put on a compression hose for a short period of time, usually a few days. The reason for this is that it will prove a change from clumping or distending themselves. The doctor will also recommend that certain activities such as whirlpools, saunas, exercise and others not be done as they can affect the vascular and circulatory systems.

Difference between Ultrasound Sclerotherapy and Conventional Sclerotherapy

Ultrasound sclerotherapy is somewhat similar to regular sclerotherapy. The difference between the two is that the doctor will be able see the veins through the use of ultrasound and a monitor. The doctor will now have the ability to find veins that would not normally be seen and destroy them. This method is much safer for treating larger veins as the doctor will be able to do it through greater precision and accuracy.

Possible Ultrasound Sclerotherapy Problems

It is very rare to have complications associated with ultrasound sclerotherapy. Problems can arise as some people occasionally experience “matting”. Matting is where the veins clump together and create a more in-depth system of veins under the skin. Bruises and discolorations of the skin can occur at the site of the injection. There is a possibility that skin necrosis could occur if there is not enough blood flowing in the area.

Ultrasound Sclerotherapy Cost

The cost to have ultrasound sclerotherapy done can vary from $100 to $400 per session. Most people generally have two to six ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy treatments done every two months. The reason for this is that, multiple treatments may be needed to get the desired results. It should be noted that it will be more expensive to go to a plastic surgeon than a cosmetician.

Is Sclerotherapy Painful?

by

is-sclerotherapy-painfulMost people who have the sclerotherapy cosmetic procedure done want to know if it is painful?

Generally people who have sclerotherapy done will have minimal pain. Patients will experience a little sting associated with each injection. Some might feel a burning sensation once the injection has been applied, but this may last a couple seconds. The patient may also experience stinging or pain at the sites of injection.

The patient may experience temporary itching or cramping at the site of the injection. There is also the possibility that the ankles or feet may swell, or cramping of the muscles.

The type of sclerosing solution used in the procedure may play a role in the amount of pain patient will feel. This will often happen when a hypertonic saline agent is used. The patient may experience reactions that look like hives, but these will vanish ten-twenty minutes after having the injection done.

Small ulcers that are very painful may occur at the injection site. These usually happens when some of the sclerosing solution gets loose into the surrounding the skin. This will be temporary, but if it becomes more painful, then it is good to check with the doctor.

The patient may experience irritation of the blood vessels that were treated. This is rare, but these maybe treated with antibiotics, aspirin, compression or heat.

Most of the time, patients will be able to tolerate the procedure and will not require any type of anesthesia. Most people will state that having sclerotherapy done was a lot less painful than what the imagined.

Sclerotherapy and Hemorrhoids

by

sclerotherapy-hemorroidsSclerotherapy is a medical practice that is often used to take care of people who are suffering from hemorrhoids. This treatment uses a chemical solution that will cause scarring of the tissues and as a result cut off the blood supply to the hemorrhoid.

The sclerotherapy procedure is done by the doctor injecting a sclerosing agent inside the vein that can be found in a hemorrhoid. This chemical solution and then makes the vein to become hard and the tissue of the hemorrhoid will eventually die. After this a scar will usually form in the place where the hemorrhoid was located. Thick and hard scar tissue holds nearby veins and tissue in position so they don’t protrude into the anal canal.

The procedure is very quick and can be done in 15-30 minutes. This is often done in a medical practitioner’s office.

What Patients Should Expect After Hemorrhoid Treatment With Sclerotherapy

Generally after having this procedure done, people should expect to see bleeding around the anus a week after having the injections. This will be attributed to the hemorrhoid falling off. The bleeding is often light and it will eventually stop by itself.

To ensure smooth bowel movements, it is recommended that people take stool softeners. Excessive straining during bowel movements can cause hemorrhoids to recur.

To relieve discomfort, it is recommended to use pain relievers and also sit down in a warm tub of water.

To cut down the possibility of bleeding, patients who had the surgery done should avoid taking nonsteroidal a type of anti-inflammatory drugs. This should be done 5 days before and after sclerotherapy has been performed.

Why Is Sclerotherapy Done to Remove Hemorrhoids

Injection sclerotherapy is used to treat hemorrhoids if people are experiencing excessive bleeding from them. This procedure may also be done if the hemorrhoids that can be found internally are often too little to be treated with litigation using a rubber band. This is done also if home treatment does not improve small hemorrhoids. If you are older than the age of 70 or not very healthy, then you probably are not going to be an ideal candidate for invasive surgery.

Does Sclerotherapy to Treat Hemorrhoids Work

For people who have small hemorrhoids, the sclerotherapy procedure will relieve symptoms at the same success rate as rubber band ligation. It should be noted that when it comes to large hemorrhoids, sclerotherapy is not  as effective as ligation.

The success of injection sclerotherapy will largely depend on the expertise of the doctor that is doing the procedure. It is important for patients to ask their doctor detailed information about their competence and doing this procedure

If hemorrhoids recur, injection sclerotherapy can be repeated, or another nonsurgical treatment can be tried.

Sclerotherapy Risks

Unusual complications are:

  • An uncomfortable and fiery feeling if the injection is done too close to the anus. The reason for this is that is where the location of the pain sensitive nerve endings.
  • Bleeding
  • Peeling of the rectal lining, this can result in an open lesion.
  • Allergic reaction to the sclerosing solution.
  • Infection of the anal region.
  • Incapability in controlling the bladder or bowels
  • In men, the contamination of the prostate gland.

Sclerotherapy and Pregnancy

by

sclerotherapy-pregnancy

When it comes to the development of spider or varicose veins, there are many factors that contributed to it. These would include it being hereditary, pregnancy or other.

People often want to know if they can have her therapy during pregnancy. Having the procedure done is not dangerous but to results will not be worth it. It is recommended to wait until a few months after the baby is born, as the veins will have reduced significantly during this time.

Generally if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, then the doctor will advise you to postpone sclerotherapy treatment. Often, spider veins that appear during pregnancy will appear on their own, three months after the baby is born. Doctors will also recommend this as they are not sure how the sclerosing agent may affect the breast milk. Mothers who are nursing are often advised to wait until they have stopped breast-feeding to have the procedure done.

Video Explaining The Basics of Sclerotherapy

by

This video gives a short, but very good basic overview of sclerotherapy. It will go into detail as to what is varicose veins and why they affect people. It will look at the use of sclerotherapy for the treatment of these veins and much more. It will show the results and also what to expect from having this procedure performed.