Venous Diseases
When veins in the body become diseased, the veins may not properly deliver blood or allow blood to return properly. Interventional radiologists utilize a series of procedures to fix damaged blood vessels.
Venous diseases are common vascular disorder where high pressure buildup in the veins. Damaged vein walls obstruct the body's circulatory system which can cause the blood to collect and flow backwards, this can result in pressure buildup in the veins.
Venous diseases include the following:
- Blood Clots
- Deep Vein Thrombosis
- Superficial Venous Thrombosis / Phlebitis
- Chronic Venous Insufficiency
- Varicose and Spider Veins
- Ulcers
Symptoms of venous diseases include:
- Varicose Veins: Swollen, enlarged knotted clusters of purple veins. Swelling in the legs. Aching or feeling heaviness in the legs. Itching skin above the affected veins; skin discoloration and ulcers on the inner aspect of the ankles (in advanced cases).
- Superficial thrombophlebitis: a red, engorged, cordlike vein, associated with localized swelling, pain or tenderness.
- Deep-vein thrombophlebitis: Swelling, warmth and redness in the affected limb. Distention of superficial veins; bluish skin color in the limb or toes (cyanosis); and rarely, fever and chills.
Treatment
There are several surgical and non-surgical treatment options for each type of venous disease. Our program's goal is to reduce symptoms and risk of complications. Interventional radiologist are making giant strides for deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) patients and those with other types of venous diseases.
Surgical Procedures
- Sclerotherapy is an option for superficial varicose veins. In this outpatient procedure, the doctor injects small- and medium-sized varicose veins with a solution that scars those veins. The process closes the veins, forcing your blood to reroute to healthier blood vessels.
- Laser therapy and other evolving technologies are among newer options.
- Surgical ligation (tying off) and removal (stripping) of the varicose vein is the definitive therapy in severe cases. Other veins compensate for the absent ones.
