polidocanol and Lung-Diseases

Background Sclerotherapy has been gaining increased acceptance and popularity as an effective therapy for the treatment of varicose veins. This attention has fed growing interest into the safety and potential complications of this procedure. There is no evidence of pulmonary complications from foam sclerotherapy in humans; however, animal studies have shown possible damage. The aim of this study is to show the changes in rat pulmonary parenchyma after the injection of 1% polidocanol Tessari foam into the peripheral vein using histological analysis of the inflammatory and fibrosis processes. Methods Twenty-four Wistar rats were divided into the following four groups: 24 h polidocanol, seven-day polidocanol, 28-day polidocanol, and control group. After the foam was injected into the lateral saphenous vein, the lungs of the rats were removed for histological analysis. Results Alveolar edema was observed in only the 24 h group (P < 0.005). Vessel thickening was observed in the seven-and 28-day groups (P < 0.001). Interstitial fibrosis was found in only the 28-day group (P = 0.006). There was no evidence of venous or arterial thrombosis in either group. Conclusion Polidocanol Tessari foam injection into rat peripheral veins causes alveolar edema, vessel thickening, and interstitial fibrosis.

Topics: Animals; Fibrosis; Humans; Inflammation; Lung; Lung Diseases; Male; Polidocanol; Polyethylene Glycols; Pulmonary Alveoli; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Saphenous Vein; Sclerosing Solutions; Sclerotherapy; Treatment Outcome; Varicose Veins; Veins; Venous Insufficiency

In order to elucidate pulmonary changes after sclerotherapy of esophageal varices animal experiments were performed. Polidocanol was injected into the submucosa of the distal esophagus and into a branch of the pulmonary artery. The submucous infiltration of the lower esophagus often causes congestive pulmonary alterations near the injection area. The subsequent disturbances of gas exchange as well as the negative inotropic effect of Polidocanol demands therapy in a number of cases.

Topics: Animals; Dogs; Esophageal and Gastric Varices; Female; Lung; Lung Diseases; Male; Polidocanol; Polyethylene Glycols; Sclerosing Solutions