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.