Microsclerotherapy

What are thread veins?

Thread veins, also called spider vein, dermal flares, venous flares and broken veins, are small dilated veins within the skin itself. They are purple or blue in colour and can easily be seen through the skin. They are distinct to varicose veins in that they cannot be felt, are smaller (less than 1 mm in size) and more superficial than varicose veins. They may or may not be associated with varicose veins. They sometimes cause aching and itching although often treatment is usually for cosmetic reasons. Affected people often are too embarrassed to show their legs especially whilst wearing skirts and swimwear. Thread veins can sometimes get worse following treatment of varicose veins by any form of treatment. They commonly occur on the lower thigh and upper calf although any portion of the leg may be affected. Thread veins can also occur on face.

Microsclerotherapy

Thread veins are commonly treated by a technique called micro sclerotherapy. To ensure there are no co-incidental varicose veins the surgeon will usually do a duplex vein scan to ensure there are no defective superficial veins under the skin.

The technique involves injecting a dilute concentration of a chemical into the thread veins using a very fine microsclerotherapy needle (see left). This substance causes damage to the lining of the vein causing it to block off. Often the surgeon will use some magnifying loupes or a magnifier to help him insert the needle into the vein. The treatment is performed with the patient lying on the couch. An affected area is treated, a pad is applied, the leg bandaged and a stocking applied over this for compression. In a treatment session typically lasting half an hour, there is a limit to the area of thread veins treated. A few treatment sessions may be required depending on the number of thread veins. The side effects of treatment include skin staining, microulcers, brusing, veins not responding to treatment and allergic reaction.