Foam-Based Venous Occlusion: Historical and International Terminology, a Narrative Review - DATA SET

Published: 15 April 2026| Version 1 | DOI: 10.17632/c4vjwc7pkm.1
Contributors:
,
, Alvaro Jose Martinez Santacruz,
,

Description

This dataset systematically compiles terminology used to describe foam-based endovenous interventions for superficial venous disease, with a focus on truncal vein occlusion. It was developed as part of a targeted narrative review conducted in accordance with the PRIOR Guidelines framework for narrative reviews. Each row in the dataset represents a unique term or acronym identified in the literature. The dataset is structured using five key variables: (1) Term/Acronym, referring to the exact wording used in the source (e.g., UGFS, PEM, ENOF); (2) Full Name or Meaning, capturing the expanded definition or conceptual interpretation of the term; (3) Language (Region), indicating the primary language of publication and, when relevant, its geographic context (e.g., English—international, Spanish—Latin America/Spain); (4) Context of Use, describing whether the term refers to truncal endovenous occlusion, cosmetic sclerotherapy, investigational therapy, or regulatory terminology; and (5) Period Used, reflecting the approximate timeframe in which the term appeared or was predominantly used in the literature. Sources contributing to the dataset were identified through structured searches of major bibliographic databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science), supplemented by open-access materials and reference tracing of historical publications, clinical guidelines, and consensus statements. Eligible sources span publications from 1944 to 2025 in English, Spanish, French, German, and Portuguese. The dataset captures the historical evolution of nomenclature, from early descriptive terms such as “air-block” and “foam injection,” to the widespread adoption of “foam sclerotherapy” and ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS), and the more recent introduction of Endoluminal Occlusion Foam (ENOF) in Spanish-language literature. It also documents inconsistencies in terminology such as the variable use of PEM versus PEMF. This dataset enables transparent tracking of terminology trends and supports efforts toward international nomenclature harmonization in foam-based venous interventions.

Files

Steps to reproduce

Given the narrative nature of this review, formal “steps to reproduce” are not applicable. Instead, a targeted search strategy was employed to identify the most relevant literature addressing the evolution of terminology in foam-based endovenous therapy. Searches were conducted in major bibliographic databases, including PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science, using combinations of keywords such as “foam sclerotherapy,” “ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy,” “polidocanol endovenous microfoam,” and “endovenous occlusion.” This approach was complemented by iterative reference tracing, whereby seminal articles, historical reports, and key guidelines were used to identify additional relevant sources. Selection of sources was guided by conceptual relevance, prioritizing publications that introduced, defined, or standardized terminology in the field. No formal inclusion/exclusion criteria or duplicate screening processes were applied, consistent with the methodological flexibility of narrative reviews. However, efforts were made to ensure broad temporal (1944–2025) and linguistic (English, Spanish, French, German, and Portuguese) representation.

Institutions

Categories

Literature Review

Licence