Children's Hospital Boston 300 Longwood Avenue
Boston, MA 02115
(617) 355-6000
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My Child Has:
Sclerotherapy
What is sclerotherapy?
Sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat certain types of vascular malformations.

During this procedure, a sclerosant (a solution that stops bleeding by hardening the blood or vein it is injected into) is directly injected into an abnormal blood vessel. This causes clotting and shrinkage of the blood vessel. The procedure usually takes 3 to 4 hours.

Sometimes malformations can enlarge again and sclerotherapy has to be done in stages or repeated.

Why is it necessary?
Sclerotherapy is used to reduce the size of vascular malformations.
Is it safe?
  • Sclerotherapy is a safe treatment for some types of vascular malformations.
  • Sometimes there are side effects, such as blisters, nerve injury and numbness. Patients usually recover without problems.
  • There is a very small chance that a blood clot will travel to the heart or lungs.
  • The doctor will explain everything in detail when you give permission for the procedure.
Who performs the procedure?
A doctor, called an interventional radiologist, performs the procedure with the help of a radiology team in the interventional suite.
How should I prepare my child for sclerotherapy?
  • When you schedule your child's procedure, you will be given written instructions. These instructions tell you when your child must stop eating, drinking and taking medicine.
  • Your child will receive general anesthesia for the procedure. The anesthesiologist will meet with you to discuss this and obtain consent.
  • Explain in simple terms why the test or treatment is needed and what will happen. Some things you may want to say:
    • you will be close by during the test;
    • they may bring a favorite toy or blanket into the room.
What happens before the procedure?
  • A staff person from Radiology or Day Surgery will call you a few days before the procedure to tell you where to go when you come to the hospital.
  • When you arrive, the radiologist will talk with you about the procedure and ask you to sign a consent form. This may be done on the day of the procedure or during a Pre-op Clinic visit.
  • Your child will change into a hospital gown.
  • Then you and your child will be brought into the room where the procedure is done.
  • A nurse will start an intravenous (IV). He or she will apply some numbing cream before doing this. Then the nurse will give some medicine through the IV to help your child relax.
  • You may stay until your child falls asleep.
What happens during the procedure?
  • The radiology technologist cleans the skin with an agent that helps prevent infection.
  • Next the doctor inserts a needle into the malformation. The needle is first used to give a solution called contrast material. When contrast material is injected, the doctor can see clearly where to inject the sclerosant, using special x-ray equipment.
  • Then the doctor injects sclerosant medicine into the malformation. This may be done once or many times, as needed.
  • When the procedure is done, the needles are removed. The nurse applies an antibiotic ointment and bandage.
What happens after the procedure?
  • When your child starts to wake up, a nurse takes him or her to the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU). A nurse watches your child closely for 4 to 6 hours. You may stay with your child.
  • Your child will receive fluids and pain medicine through an IV.
  • Your child may have red urine for several hours.
  • The area that was injected will become very swollen and bruised.
  • The radiologist will speak to you about the results.
How long will recovery take?
  • The healing process usually takes several weeks to months. At first, there is swelling and bruising.
  • The swelling reduces over the first 24 to 48 hours. It does not go away completely until the blood clots are absorbed. This may take up to 2 months.
  • The bruising fades gradually. If the skin is involved in the vascular malformation, a blister or sore may develop.
  • Expect your child to feel some pain as the area heals. Pain may last 2 to 3 months. The doctor will prescribe pain medication.
Where can I call for more information?
Call Children's Interventional Radiology Office at 617-355-6579 if you have any questions or concerns. You may ask to speak with a doctor, nurse, or nurse practitioner.
What is unique about sclerotherapy at Children's Hospital Boston?
Because of our large Vascular Anomalies Center, Children's Hospital Boston has extensive experience in the use of sclerotherapy in the treatment of pediatric vascular malformations. Children's Hospital Boston has state-of-the-art angiographic x-ray equipment, intravascular laser, and anesthesiologists, radiology technologists, and nurses who are very familiar with this technique and with care of patients undergoing this procedure.
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Programs that perform this procedure:
Division of Interventional Radiology
Vascular Anomalies Center
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