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Vein Services > Ultrasound-Guided Sclerotherapy (Echosclerotherapy)
Echosclerotherapy (aka Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy) is a technique for the permanent elimination of veins that involves the injection of various fluids directly into veins under ultrasound guidance. The use of the ultrasound machine makes it possible to inject veins that are otherwise undetectable and previously required surgical treatment.
This technique was developed in France, Canada, and the USA in the late 1980s. There are very few clinics in Ontario doing echosclerotherapy.
There are several areas of the superficial venous system that are inaccessible to injections by touch or sight. These large veins are frequently the source of pressure that produces dilated varicose veins and even clusters of spider veins. These large veins must be treated before smaller vessels are treated, otherwise the small vessels will recur.
The most commonly injected vein is the largest superficial vein in the leg (greater saphenous vein). It starts on top of the foot and runs up the inside of the leg to the groin.
Even the largest of veins can be treated with echosclerotherapy. Until about 2002, the only option for treating these veins was surgery. Echosclerotherapy makes surgery unnecessary in almost all cases.
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