[Peroneal nerve damage after varicose vein sclerotherapy with ethoxysclerol. Single case description with malpractice relevant questions].

Irritation of superficial nerves is known to be a frequently ocurring and quickly healing side effect in the sclerosing of varicose veins. Persistent severe neuropathy is a rarely seen complication, although the generally used substance, aethoxysclerol (polidocanol, chemical name polyethylenglycolmonododecylether), has a neurotoxic potential. Whether a nerve lesion appears or not depends as well on the concentration and quantity of the applied medicament and on the distance between the nerve and the place of drug administration. Intravaricose, intraarterial and paravasal injection can cause nerve damage. In a single case report the pathophysiology, clinical course and neurophysiological findings of a subtotal lesion of a profound peroneal nerve at the back of the foot is described as a rarely occurring but typical complication of sclerosing varicose veins. Medicolegal aspects are especially considered.