Ultrasound-Guided Foam Sclerotherapy
When varicose veins and venous insufficiency affect your comfort and quality of life, precise treatment targeting the root cause becomes essential. Ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS) offers a minimally invasive solution for treating abnormal veins beneath the skin's surface.
At Prevosti Vein Center, Dr. Louis Prevosti uses advanced ultrasound technology combined with specialized foam medication to eliminate problematic veins and restore healthy circulation.
He brings 30+ years as a heart surgeon and 15+ years as a vein care specialist to his Canton practice, where he focuses exclusively on diagnosing and treating vein disorders.
Dr. Prevosti has performed thousands of ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy treatments. His extensive experience enables him to precisely target complex vein patterns while minimizing side effects and maximizing results.
What Does Ultrasound-Guided Foam Sclerotherapy Treat?
Ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy combines real-time ultrasound imaging with foam medication to treat problematic veins beneath the skin's surface. Unlike surface sclerotherapy for spider veins, this procedure targets larger veins that contribute to the symptoms of venous insufficiency. These include tributary veins (branches of the saphenous veins), varicose veins (bulging veins) and reticular veins (bluish veins slightly larger than spider veins).
This technique is particularly valuable for treating veins that cause symptoms like aching, heaviness, swelling or skin changes such as redness, dryness, itching, or skin darkening or thickening. Most of the vessels treated with foam are below the surface and not visible. Ultrasound guidance allows Dr. Prevosti to treat complex vein patterns and connecting vessels that other treatments cannot address.
How Does Ultrasound-Guided Foam Sclerotherapy Work?
The procedure uses specialized foam created by mixing a sclerosing agent with air or gas. Dr. Prevosti uses Asclera, a high-grade polidocanol, as his sclerosing agent. Dr. Prevosti injects this foam directly into the targeted veins under ultrasound guidance. The ultrasound’s real-time imaging allows Dr. Prevosti to navigate complex vein anatomy, track the foam as it fills the vessel and confirm proper medication placement. The foam damages the cells along the inner lining of the vein (endothelium), causing the vein to close down. Once closed, the vein is gradually absorbed by the body. The blood flow reroutes through nearby healthy vessels.
The foam consistency provides several advantages over traditional liquid sclerotherapy. When injected, the foam displaces blood within the vein and maintains better contact with the vein walls. This enhanced contact allows for more effective treatment of veins with larger diameters. Foam also has the advantage that the concentration of the drug does not get diluted when mixed with blood, as is the case with liquid sclerosant.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Ultrasound-Guided Foam Sclerotherapy?
Based on your ultrasound results and physical examination, Dr. Prevosti will decide if you are a good candidate for this technique of treating venous insufficiency. Tributary veins, varicose veins and reticular veins are typical ideal vessels. Ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy is also used in conjunction with other treatment methods, such as radiofrequency ablation and ambulatory micro-phlebectomy, to fully eradicate venous insufficiency. It is also useful in patients with recurrent venous insufficiency after previous treatment. UGFS is also useful in treating venous malformations.
Patients who may benefit from ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy often experience:
- Leg aching, heaviness or tiredness
- Visible varicose veins with underlying tributary issues
- Skin changes (darkening, thickening, itching) in the lower calf
- Swelling that worsens throughout the day
- Previous vein treatments that need additional refinement
- Night cramps or restless legs
What to Expect From the Treatment Process
Comprehensive Evaluation
Your consultation begins with a detailed venous duplex ultrasound examination performed in Dr. Prevosti's Canton office. This imaging maps your complete venous system, identifying areas of reflux (backward blood flow) and determining which veins are functioning normally and which are not.
During your evaluation, Dr. Prevosti takes time to explain his findings and answer your questions. All evaluations, treatments and follow-ups occur at the same Canton location, eliminating the need to visit separate imaging or surgery centers.
Ultrasound-Guided Foam Sclerotherapy Treatment Sessions
It is best to wear loose-fitting clothes on your lower body the day of the procedure, and you will need to bring your compression stockings. You can purchase compression stockings at the office if you do not have any. Bring shorts, or shorts will be provided to you, to put on just prior to the procedure.
Treatment time typically takes 30 minutes or less, though the total time in the office can be up to 90 minutes. A compression wrap is applied at the end of the treatment. You can drive yourself to and from your appointment and don't need to bring someone with you, although you're welcome to if you wish. You can walk, drive and resume light daily activity immediately after the procedure.
Dr. Prevosti begins by using ultrasound to locate the target veins. He then carefully injects the foam medication. You feel a slight prick from the needle, but the foam is not uncomfortable as it flows into the vein. The number of access sites varies based on your unique vein pattern and treatment plan.
Foam Sclerotherapy Recovery and Post-Treatment Care
Recovery from ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy involves minimal downtime. You can walk, drive and perform light daily activities immediately after treatment. Most patients return to work the same day or the next day, depending on the physical demands of their job. Light exercise, such as walking or yoga, can be resumed within two days. Strenuous activities like running, tennis or intense workouts may resume after one week.
You may notice some temporary redness, mild swelling, tenderness or bruising in the treated areas. These effects typically resolve within a few days to a few weeks. Most patients experience minimal discomfort and do not need to take any medication for pain. For those who do, over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen work well.
Dr. Prevosti typically recommends wearing compression stockings for at least three days after the procedure. Compression therapy helps the treated veins close down and reduces swelling while normal circulation patterns establish themselves through healthy veins.
When Will I Feel Results From Ultrasound-Guided Foam Sclerotherapy?
The treated veins close down over 24 to 48 hours. Some patients notice an improvement in their symptoms within days. Other symptoms, such as swelling, take longer to improve.
Many of the veins treated with this technique, such as tributary veins, are not visible on the surface of the skin. Some treated veins that are just below the surface of the skin may feed small tributaries or even spider veins on the skin. These visible surface veins can take weeks or months to gradually fade away.
Dr. Prevosti schedules follow-up appointments within one week after treatment and at six weeks to monitor your progress and determine if additional treatments would be beneficial.
Why Choose Dr. Prevosti for Ultrasound-Guided Foam Sclerotherapy
Dr. Prevosti's qualifications make him exceptionally skilled at performing ultrasound-guided procedures:
- Specialized imaging expertise: His RPVI (registered physician vascular interpreter) and RPhS (registered phlebology sonographer) status demonstrate advanced skills in the use and interpretation of venous ultrasound
- Exclusive vein focus: Prevosti Vein Center dedicates 100% of its practice to treating venous disorders, not aesthetics or other specialties
- Proven experience: Having performed thousands of ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy treatments, Dr. Prevosti understands how to obtain optimal results
- Comprehensive credentials: Board-certified in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, and a diplomat of the American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine
- Single-location convenience: All diagnostics, treatments and follow-ups occur in one Canton office
Experience Expert Vein Care at Prevosti Vein Center
Ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy provides an effective solution for treating veins that contribute to venous insufficiency symptoms without requiring surgery or extensive recovery time. Dr. Prevosti's meticulous approach, advanced ultrasound skills and compassionate care help patients throughout Canton and North Georgia find relief from venous disorder symptoms.
Contact Prevosti Vein Center today to schedule your consultation and discover how ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy can improve your venous health.