Varicose veins occur when veins are not properly returning blood from the lower leg to the heart. All veins have valves that open to allow the flow of blood to the heart and close to prevent backflow (otherwise known as “reflux”) of blood to the foot. When valves fail to function properly, blood leaks through and flows down the leg in the wrong direction. The blood overfills and distends the superficial veins under the skin, resulting in the bulging seen in varicose veins.
Endovenous Laser Treatment (ELT) is a minimally invasive ultrasound-guided technique used for treating varicose veins with an optical fiber and laser performed by one of the experienced San Diego Imaging interventional radiologists.
Endovenous Laser Treatment may also require adjunct sclerotherapy treatment for smaller varicose veins for complete resolution.
For more information on Endovenous Laser Treatment, please click here.
Sclerotherapy is a medical treatment of saline or foam injections directly into the veins with a small needle. Sclerotherapy is also used to treat smaller varicose veins and spider veins, which are small, red or blue veins that are close to the surface of the skin and often resemble a “spider web” with short, jagged lines.
For more information on Sclerotherapy Treatment, please click here.
The interventional radiologists and physician assistants with San Diego Imaging can perform both varicose treatment procedures in our comfortable and convenient outpatient centers in Kearny Mesa and Oceanside.