Sclerotherapy for Reticular Veins in the Lower Limbs

Abstract

Reticular veins are flat and bluish subdermal veins less than 4 mm in diameter located in the lower limbs.^1,2 They have been designated as class 1 (C₁) by the American Venous Forum³ in the CEAP (clinical, etiologic, anatomic, and pathophysiologic) classification system. The prevalence of reticular veins is extremely high, reaching up to 60% in some populations, being more common in women, and increasing with age.⁴ Their etiology is attributed to failure of microvenous valves^5,6 and/or transmission of reflux from incompetent superficial venous systems.⁷