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Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is an interventional radiology procedure used to treat abnormal vessels in the circulatory system (arterial, venous and lymphatic) such as vascular malformations. The treatment uses special liquids called sclerosants and specially shaped pieces of metal called coils to shrink malformations.

Sclerotherapy treatment depends on the size and location of the malformation:

  • Small malformations can usually be treated simply with injection of a liquid called a sclerosant. This liquid causes the malformation to scar and shrink.
  • Larger lymphatic malformations must first be drained overnight with a tube and then injected the next day with a sclerosant.
  • Blood flow to large venous or arteriovenous malformations (or those involving larger blood vessels) must first be blocked using embolization. This prevents the sclerosant from flowing elsewhere in the body. After the vein that flows away from the malformation is blocked, the interventional radiologist can inject the sclerosant into the malformation.

Sclerotherapy normally takes about one to two hours, including time for sedation or anesthesia.

What to Expect

Sclerotherapy may be an inpatient or outpatient procedure. You can expect the following:

  • Your child will be given a sedative or put to sleep and monitored closely by an anesthesiologist.
  • The interventional radiologist will use live imaging (ultrasound or X-ray) to inject a special dye called contrast into the malformation. The special dye helps produce clearer images of the malformation.
  • The interventional radiologist will precisely guide a needle into the malformation. The needle is used to inject a sclerosant and implant the metal coil.
  • After the procedure, your child will be taken to a recovery room to wake up. A nurse will care for your child and watch for complications.
  • In some cases, your child will be able to go home soon after the procedure. Treatment of malformations that are large and deep inside the body may require an overnight stay.
  • The treatment will cause swelling and pain, which will last for a few days. Your child will be given pain medicine to minimize discomfort.
  • Venous, arteriovenous and lymphatic malformations often come back, so your child may require several sclerotherapy or embolization treatments.

Like all medical procedures, sclerotherapy does have some risks. Sometimes the incision may bleed and in rare cases infection is possible. The sclerosant can cause numbness in the area that was treated, and this numbness may take a while to go away. Pulmonary embolism (a blood clot in the lungs) is a rare occurrence. An allergic reaction to the dye used to help the interventional radiologist see clearly inside the body is possible but rare.

Key Points to Remember

  • Sclerotherapy is an interventional radiology procedure used to treat abnormal vessels in the circulatory system (arterial, venous and lymphatic).
  • Your child will be sedated or under general anesthesia for this procedure.
  • Malformations often return, so your child may need sclerotherapy or embolization again in the future.

Locations

Locations

In addition to our primary hospital location at the Academic Health Center in Indianapolis, IN, we have convenient locations to better serve our communities throughout the state.

Related Conditions & Departments

Conditions

Departments