An electrode catheter is introduced into a hollow anatomical structure,
such as a vein, and is positioned at a treatment site within the
structure. Tumescent fluid is injected into the tissue surrounding the
treatment site to produce tumescence of the surrounding tissue which then
compresses the vein. The solution may include an anesthetic, and may
further include a vasoconstrictive drug that shrinks blood vessels. The
tumescent swelling in the surrounding tissue causes the hollow anatomical
structure to become compressed, thereby exsanguinating the treatment
site. Energy is applied by an electrode catheter in apposition with the
vein wall to create a heating effect. The heating effect causes the
hollow anatomical structure to become molded and durably assume the
compressed dimensions caused by the tumescent technique. The electrode
catheter can be moved within the structure so as to apply energy to a
large section of the hollow anatomic structure. In a further aspect, the
location of the electrodes is determined by impedance monitoring. Also,
temperature sensors at the treatment site are averaged to determine the
site temperature.