Sclerotherapy of sciatic nerve varices

Abstract

Sciatic nerve varices (SNV) represent an infrequent presentation of varicose veins. They are usually not recognised and may present only with chronic sciatic pain with few varicosities. On clinical examination, sciatic pain can be reproduced by finger-pressing the superficial varicose veins at their point of connection with the SNV. These varices are then confirmed by duplex ultrasonography. We herein report a case of a 78-years-old woman affected by symptomatic SNV, treated by echo-guided Tessari foam sclerotherapy (EGFSCL) with immediate relief of the sciatic pain. Reflux through the sciatic veins, as the connected superficial varicose veins, disappeared completely and not any complications have emerged. EGFSCL seems to be both safe and effective, so representing a reliable and minimally invasive treatment for this disturb.