Phlebology > Volume 23, Number 1 > Pp. 47-49

This Article Figures Only Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by d'Othée, B J. Articles by Ghiorse, D Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Social Bookmarking                      What's this?

Short Report

Non-infected, non-haematic fluid collections after endovenous laser ablation of the saphenous veins: a noteworthy complication

B Janne d'Othée  and D Ghiorse

Department of Radiology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

Correspondence: Bertrand Janne d'Othée MD MPH, Department of Radiology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Avenue – W/CC 385, Boston, MA 02215-5400, USA. Email: bjannedothee{at}partners.org

Objectives: To describe an uncommon complication after endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) of the saphenous veins and its percutaneous management.

Methods: Symptomatic greater saphenous vein reflux was successfully treated by EVLA using standard technique. Local pain, redness and swelling around the prior percutaneous access site were investigated at the clinical and duplex ultrasonographic follow-up visit one week later.

Results: Duplex ultrasonography demonstrated a subcutaneous fluid collection with surrounding hyperechogenicity. Needle aspiration of the collection under real-time ultrasound guidance allowed complete evacuation of the clear yellowish fluid. Immediate symptom relief was observed. Direct examination and anaerobic and aerobic culture of the fluid were negative. No further complication was observed during the following 11 months of follow-up.

Conclusions: Seroma after EVLA is a rare but possible complication, while haematomas and infections seem much scarcer. Diagnosis is easily made by duplex ultrasonography. Treatment by fine needle aspiration can successfully relieve symptoms without delayed recurrence.

Key Words: varicose veins • endovenous laser treatment • saphenous vein

CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?