5th International Conference on Heart and Cardiovascular Diseases

Fatemeh Azizi is a medical professional affiliated with Abdulhamid Han Training and Research Hospital in Turkey. Her research interests include vascular medicine, venous disorders, minimally invasive vascular interventions, and the evaluation of clinical outcomes in patients with recurrent lower-extremity venous insufficiency. Her research, titled “Ultrasound-Guided Inguinal Lymph Node Sclerotherapy for Recurrent Lower Extremity Venous Insufficiency: One-Year Clinical and Duplex Outcomes,” focuses on an innovative approach to managing recurrent venous insufficiency through ultrasound-guided intervention. The study evaluates clinical improvement and duplex ultrasound findings over one year, highlighting the potential role of targeted lymph node sclerotherapy in addressing abnormal venous reflux and improving patient outcomes. Her work contributes to the exploration of minimally invasive treatment strategies and the advancement of evidence-based approaches to vascular care.

Background

Recurrent lower extremity venous insufficiency remains challenging following surgical and endovenous treatment. Reflux through the inguinal lymph node venous network (LNVN) may represent an under-recognized contributor to recurrence. We evaluated clinical and ultrasound outcomes after targeted lymph node sclerotherapy.

Methods

In this prospective observational study, 75 patients with symptomatic recurrent venous insufficiency after previous treatment were evaluated between 2022 and 2024. Color Doppler ultrasound and dynamic lymph node venography were used to assess LNVN reflux. Affected lymph nodes were treated by ultrasound-guided injection of 2 mL of 0.5% sclerosant. Clinical response and duplex ultrasound findings were assessed at one year.

Results

At one-year follow-up, 60 of 75 patients (80%) demonstrated clinical improvement. Duplex ultrasound showed complete resolution of LNVN reflux in 48 patients (64%), partial reduction in 15 (20%), and persistent reflux in 12 (16%). The change in reflux severity was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Mild, self-limiting injection-site inflammation occurred in six patients (8%); no deep vein thrombosis, allergic reactions, or systemic complications were reported.

Conclusion

Ultrasound-guided lymph node sclerotherapy was associated with improved symptoms and reduced LNVN reflux at one year in this single-center cohort. This targeted outpatient approach warrants further controlled, multicenter evaluation before routine clinical adoption.