Acute massive pulmonary embolism following high ligation combined with compression sclerotherapy for varicose veins - Report of a case

A case of acute pulmonary embolism following high ligation and compression sclerotherapy for varicose veins is reported. A 54-year-old women developed superficial varicosities and stasis pigmentation on her left leg 1 year pr ior to her first visit to hospital. No deep vein thrombosis was detected by ascending phlebography performed 3 months prior to operation. High ligatio n combined with compression sclerotherapy was performed for the varicose ve ins. One day after treatment, the patient complained of chest pain and discomfor t, and then collapsed. Perfusion scintigraphy revealed multiple embolisms i n the bilateral lungs. The patient recovered after aggressive anticoagulant and thrombolytic therapy. Although pulmonary embolism is a rare complicati on of sclerotherapy, it is potentially one of the most serious.