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Posterolateral thigh perforator varicosities in 12 patients: a normal deep venous system and successful treatment with ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy.

van Neer P, Veraart JC, Neumann H

Department of Dermatology, Laurentius Hospital, Roermond, The Netherlands. P.vanNeer@lzr.nl

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether in patients with posterolateral thigh perforator (PLTP) varicosities ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy (USGS) is successful and to determine any deep venous anomaly. PATIENTS: Twelve consecutive patients with PLTP varicosities were investigated and treated. DESIGN: In this prospective intervention study USGS of the PLTP with polidocanol microfoam 1-2% was performed with a maximal number of three treatments. Clinical pictures and Duplex imaging were performed before and after treatment. Ascending phlebography was performed in 9 patients. RESULTS: Ten patients showed a marked success, defined as no PLTP varicosities visible and no reflux detectable. In 2 patients there was moderate success. The mean number of treatments was 1.58, the mean diameter of the PLTP vein was reduced from 4.06 (range, 2.2-6.1) to 1.97 (range, 0-3.3) mm (p=0.003, Wilcoxon signed rank test). No serious side effects were noted. No deep venous anomaly was found in the phlebographic study. CONCLUSION: In patients with PLTP varicosities, USGS is very successful, with very few side effects. No deep venous anomalies were found in our study, which conforms to the literature.

Published 6 November 2006 in Dermatol Surg, 32(11): 1346-52; discussion 1351-2.
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