Vascular malformation in the legs is a congenital condition where certain blood vessels (which can be veins, arteries, or lymphatic vessels) developed abnormally during pregnancy. Instead of forming an organized and efficient network, they create a cluster of dilated, twisted blood vessels with weak walls. This condition can lead to a variety of symptoms that impair quality of life, such as chronic pain that worsens upon standing, significant swelling in the leg, a feeling of heaviness and fatigue, changes in skin tone, and in more severe cases, even the development of ulcers or spontaneous bleeding.

The treatment in interventional radiology, often called sclerotherapy or percutaneous embolization, offers an advanced solution without the need for open surgery. The goal of the treatment is to close these abnormal blood vessels from within, thereby stopping the faulty blood flow inside them and causing them to shrink and be gradually absorbed by the body.

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The process takes place in a dedicated treatment room, usually under sedation and local anesthesia, so the patient feels no pain. The expert radiologist uses real-time imaging means, typically an advanced ultrasound device, to precisely identify the diseased blood vessels within the leg. Once identified, the physician inserts a fine needle or tiny catheter directly into the core of the malformation. Through the needle, a special substance called a "sclerosant" (usually medical foam) or biological glue is injected. This substance comes into contact with the damaged blood vessel wall, causing deliberate irritation and creating a local inflammatory reaction that leads to the formation of a blood clot and blockage of the vessel. This action disconnects the malformation from the blood circulation and significantly reduces pressure and congestion in the leg. The treatment is particularly suitable for patients for whom conservative treatments, such as elastic compression stockings, have not provided sufficient relief from symptoms.