Treatment of telangiectasia: a review

Telangiectasias are thought to occur through the release or activation of vasoactive substances under a multitude of conditions. Patients seek therapy for telangiectasias principally because of the unsightly visual appearance. This paper discusses the etiology, histology, and treatment of telangiectasias, emphasizing microsclerotherapy. Specifically, the indication for sclerotherapy, mechanism of action of the various sclerosing agents, microinjection technic, and the advantages and disadvantages of the most commonly used sclerosants, sodium morrhuate, sodium tetradecyl sulfate (Sotradecol), hypertonic saline, hydroxypolyethoxydodecane (polidocanol; Aethoxysklerol), and, Sclerodex (a mixture of dextrose and sodium chloride) are reviewed.