Anaphylaxis Following Foam Sclerotherapy: A Life Threatening Complication of Non Invasive Treatment for Varicose Veins

Article Outline

• Copyright

We report an anaphylactic reaction following ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS) to lower limb varicosities. A tortuous anterolateral thigh vein of a 62 year-old woman was unsuccessfully ablated with UGFS. A further session of UGFS, 6 months later, resulted in a non-fatal anaphylactic reaction that required resuscitation with adrenaline. The patient was not known to be allergic to the sclerosant used and had not suffered any adverse effects after her initial treatment. This case demonstrates the possibility of anaphylaxis following UGFS. Those performing sclerotherapy require appropriate resuscitation equipment and training.