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Correlation of serum ferritin levels and postsclerotherapy pigmentation. A prospective study
Background:
Postsclerotherapy pigmentation is a common sequela of sclerotherapy to varicose and telangiectatic leg veins. This pigmentation is thought to be due to hemosiderin deposition in the dermis. A preliminary study indicated that serum ferritin was a good indicator of susceptibility to postsclerotherapy pigmentation.
Objective:
To clarify the relationship between serum ferritin and postsclerotherapy pigmentation using a prospective study.
Methods:
Serum ferritin levels were taken from 233 consecutive patients prior to commencement of sclerotherapy. Patients were assessed clinically for the presence of pigmentation at 3, 6, and 12 months.
Results:
There was a linear relationship between pretreatment serum ferritin level and the occurrence of pigmentation at each posttreatment assessment date.
Conclusion:
The results confirm a relationship between serum ferritin levels and postsclerotherapy pigmentation. This indicates that a significant predisposing factor to the development of persistent postsclerotherapy pigmentation is a high level of total body iron stores.