Radiolabelled white blood cell scintigraphy in the work-up of dermal filler complications

Adverse Effects Associated with Dermal Filler Treatments: Part II Vascular Complication

Vascular complications arising from dermal filler treatments pose significant risks, including ischemia, tissue necrosis, and severe outcomes like blindness and pulmonary embolism. This study investigates the mechanisms of vascular complications, categorizing them into extravascular compression and intravascular emboli. Extravascular compression occurs when injected fillers compress adjacent blood vessels, leading to ischemia and potential necrosis, while intravascular emboli result from fillers entering blood vessels, causing blockages. The study emphasizes the importance of anatomical knowledge, careful injection techniques, and early intervention. Management strategies include the use of hyaluronidase to dissolve HA fillers, vasodilators to improve blood circulation, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The regions most susceptible to complications align with major arterial pathways, particularly the nasolabial folds and nasal region. The study also highlights the need for meticulous injection techniques, the use of cannulas over needles in high-risk areas, and the aspiration test to detect vessel penetration. Early detection and immediate intervention are crucial to mitigate adverse outcomes. Continuous education and training for practitioners, along with advancements in filler materials and injection methods, are essential for improving the safety of cosmetic procedures. This comprehensive understanding aids in preventing and managing vascular complications, ensuring better patient outcomes. The field of dermal filler treatments is advancing with new techniques and technologies, such as High-Resolution Ultrasound, Infrared Imaging, self-crossing hyaluronic acid filler, biodegradable microspheres, and microinjection.

Complications of fillers in the lips and perioral area: Prevention, assessment, and management focusing on ultrasound guidance

An ever-increasing interest in perioral rejuvenation with dermal fillers reflects the esthetic importance of this region. However, filler injections in the lips and perioral area have been associated with various complications. Such complications are classified according to severity (mild, moderate, severe) or by the time of onset: immediate (within 24 h after injection), early (24 h to 4 weeks post-procedure), and late or delayed (>4 weeks after injection). While most complications are mild and manageable, vascular compromise, infections, and the development of delayed-onset nodules may significantly undermine the ultimate esthetic outcome and cause substantial morbidity. These more serious complications often require more invasive treatment modalities. This article details the prevention and management of such adverse events and discusses safe filler injection principles, including safety recommendations for the lips. Lastly, we highlight the use of ultrasound guidance in complication prevention (vascular mapping, filler identification, location, and extent), assessment (identification of intravascular embolus or external vascular compression by the filler implant), and management (real-time imaging of hyaluronidase or other drug injection in the affected area). Esthetic practitioners should be versed in injection anatomy, and the prevention, recognition, and management of filler complications in the perioral area.

Noninvasive Correction of the Aging Forehead

Aging of the face is a continuous and dynamic process that occurs due to changes in layers including skin, muscle, fat, and bone. There is an increasing patient preference toward nonsurgical techniques and procedures that require minimal downtime in all aspects of cosmetic surgery. The mainstay of treatment involves the administration of injectable fillers for temple volumization, eyebrow reshaping and forehead contouring, and neuromodulation to reduce the appearance of dynamic rhytids. Surgical and nonsurgical procedures can be used in combination in order to maximize periorbital rejuvenation. This article focuses on nonsurgical rejuvenation of the brow and periorbital complex.

Nonvascular Complications of Injectable Fillers-Prevention and Management

Injectable filler treatments have increased in popularity because of enhanced safety profile and improved physical characteristics. ISAPS (International Society of Plastic Surgery) put out global data showing 3.7 million hyaluronic acid (HA) filler procedures in 2018, making it the second most often performed procedure in the world, after botulinum toxin. And these are only ‘those’ performed by qualified plastic surgeons. There was a concomitant increase in both the nonvascular and vascular complications, which coincided with the number and type of filler procedures performed. Filler complications were reviewed from existing literature, and an attempt was made to understand etiology, elucidate clinical features, and clarify optimum treatment strategies for each. Complications can be early or delayed in presentation, early consisting of injection site complications like bruising, edema, and hypersensitivity, Tyndall effect, and intravascular injection. Delayed complications included hypersensitivity type IV, acute infections like cellulitis, abscesses, and herpes and delayed ones like granulomas, biofilms, and atypical mycobacterial infections. These were analyzed and treatment options, protocols, and consensus guidelines were suggested. A clear understanding of facial anatomy, physical characteristics of all fillers used, early recognition, and treatment options of complications will ensure optimum outcomes.

A Cross-sectional Analysis of Adverse Events and Litigation for Injectable Fillers

Importance

Injectable fillers are increasing in popularity as a noninvasive option to address concerns related to facial aging and volume loss. To our knowledge, there have been no large-scale analyses of adverse events and associated litigation related to filler injections.

Objectives

To determine risks of injectable fillers and analyze factors raised in litigation related to injectable fillers.

Design, Setting, and Participants

In this cross-sectional review, the US Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) manufacturer and user facility device experience (MAUDE) database was evaluated for complications from the use of the following fillers: Juvederm, Restylane, Belotero, Sculptra, Radiesse, Artefill, Bellafill, and Juvederm Voluma from 2014 to 2016. The Westlaw Next database was used to identify jury verdicts.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Complications were organized by type of filler used, location of injection, and severity. Intra-arterial injections without sequelae and those resulting in blindness or necrosis were considered severe complications. Factors raised during the litigation process were also analyzed.

Results

Of 1748 adverse events analyzed, most cases stemmed from cheek (751 [43.0%]) or lip (524 [30.0%]) injection. Commonly reported adverse events reported included swelling (755 [43.2%]) and infection (725 [41.5%]). Among FDA-reported complications, blindness was significantly associated with dorsal nasal injections (P < .001). Vascular compromise with and without sequela of dermal necrosis and blindness were significantly associated with Radiesse injections P < .001. Of the 9 malpractice cases identified, two-thirds involved allegations of inadequate informed consent, and the median award in cases resolved with payment was $262 000.

Conclusions and Relevance

Although specific complication profiles vary by material and injection site, common adverse events associated with injectable fillers include swelling and infection. More serious events include vascular compromise, resulting in necrosis and blindness; these events are also raised in cases involving litigation. This analysis illustrates the importance of outlining these risks in a comprehensive preoperative informed consent process.

Level of Evidence

NA.

The impact of lifestyle upon the probability of late bacterial infection after soft-tissue filler augmentation

Purpose: Little is known about the influence of lifestyle-related factors upon the risk of late bacterial infection (LBI) emerging at the site of soft-tissue filler augmentation. The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of some such factors on the risk of LBI by comparing their respective prevalence between two groups of previously healthy women: a group in which infection occurred at a site of cross-linked hyaluronic acid (HA) augmentation and a second group which did not have such an infection.

Patients and methods: The infection group featured 25 women who developed LBI at a site of cross-linked HA augmentation; the control group featured 92 women who did not experience complications during a 24-month period of observation after the same procedure. Data was analyzed statistically using Chi-square tests and logistic regression.

Results: The two groups did not differ significantly in terms of age. However, the frequency of antibiotic therapy, household pet ownership, occupation, hormone replacement therapy or contraception use, and attendance at a swimming pool, sauna, or gym attendance were found to vary with statistical significance, P<0.05.

Conclusions: Women in the control group practiced a more active lifestyle. Antibiotic therapy in the year preceding cross-linked HA augmentation was a factor which rendered a patient predisposed towards the development of LBI. Pet ownership was more prominent among women who did not suffer LBI than within the group in which soft tissue filler-related complications had occurred.

Adverse effects of fillers

Filler injections belong to the most frequently performed noninvasive beautifying procedures. When done correctly they are generally well tolerated. However, a number of factors, such as poor filler quality, and particularly host as well as user dependent filler reactions may lead to unwanted effects. These may be early, late, or delayed events with characteristics for each of them. Temporary fillers almost invariably cause temporary side effects whereas those of permanent fillers may last forever. Some fillers are notorious for their poor safety profile; for example, silicone is banned in the European Union and the United States but nevertheless used by many practitioners and beauticians. Many fillers can be identified in histopathologic sections allowing specific measures to be instituted.

Clinical indications, image acquisition and data interpretation for white blood cells and anti-granulocyte monoclonal antibody scintigraphy: an EANM procedural guideline

INTRODUCTION

Radiolabelled autologous white blood cells (WBC) scintigraphy is being standardized all over the world to ensure high quality, specificity and reproducibility. Similarly, in many European countries radiolabelled anti-granulocyte antibodies (anti-G-mAb) are used instead of WBC with high diagnostic accuracy. The EANM Inflammation & Infection Committee is deeply involved in this process of standardization as a primary goal of the group.

AIM

The main aim of this guideline is to support and promote good clinical practice despite the complex environment of a national health care system with its ethical, economic and legal aspects that must also be taken into consideration.

METHOD

After the standardization of the WBC labelling procedure (already published), a group of experts from the EANM Infection & Inflammation Committee developed and validated these guidelines based on published evidences.

RESULTS

Here we describe image acquisition protocols, image display procedures and image analyses as well as image interpretation criteria for the use of radiolabelled WBC and monoclonal antigranulocyte antibodies. Clinical application for WBC and anti-G-mAb scintigraphy is also described.

CONCLUSIONS

These guidelines should be applied by all nuclear medicine centers in favor of a highly reproducible standardized practice.

Skin bacterial flora as a potential risk factor predisposing to late bacterial infection after cross-linked hyaluronic acid gel augmentation

Introduction

Cross-linked hyaluronic acid (HA) gel is widely used in esthetic medicine. Late bacterial infection (LBI) is a rare, but severe complication after HA augmentation. The aim of this study was to determine whether patients who underwent the HA injection procedure and developed LBI had qualitatively different bacterial flora on the skin compared to patients who underwent the procedure without any complications.

Methods

The study group comprised 10 previously healthy women with recently diagnosed, untreated LBI after HA augmentation. The control group comprised 17 healthy women who had a similar amount of HA injected with no complications. To assess the difference between the two groups, their skin flora was cultured from nasal swabs, both before and after antibiotic treatment in the study group.

Results

A significant increase in the incidence of Staphylococcus epidermidis was detected in the control group (P=0.000) compared to the study group. The study group showed a significantly higher incidence of Staphylococcus aureus (P=0.005), Klebsiella pneumoniae (P=0.006), Klebsiella oxytoca (P=0.048), and Staphylococcus haemolyticus (P=0.048) compared to the control group.

Conclusion

The bacterial flora on the skin differed in patients with LBI from the control group. The control group’s bacterial skin flora was dominated by S. epidermidis. Patients with LBI had a bacterial skin flora dominated by potentially pathogenic bacteria.

Dermal fillers in aesthetics: an overview of adverse events and treatment approaches

BACKGROUND

The ever-expanding range of dermal filler products for aesthetic soft tissue augmentation is of benefit for patients and physicians, but as indications and the number of procedures performed increase, the number of complications will likely also increase.

OBJECTIVE

To describe potential adverse events associated with dermal fillers and to provide structured and clear guidance on their treatment and avoidance.

METHODS

Reports of dermal filler complications in the medical literature were reviewed and, based on the publications retrieved and the authors' extensive experience, recommendations for avoiding and managing complications are provided.

RESULTS

Different dermal fillers have widely varying properties, associated risks, and injection requirements. All dermal fillers have the potential to cause complications. Most are related to volume and technique, though some are associated with the material itself. The majority of adverse reactions are mild and transient, such as bruising and trauma-related edema. Serious adverse events are rare, and most are avoidable with proper planning and technique.

CONCLUSION

For optimum outcomes, aesthetic physicians should have a detailed understanding of facial anatomy; the individual characteristics of available fillers; their indications, contraindications, benefits, and drawbacks; and ways to prevent and avoid potential complications.

Managing Complications of Fillers: Rare and Not-So-Rare

Fillers belong to the most frequently used beautifying products. They are generally well tolerated, but any one of them may occasionally produce adverse side effects. Adverse effects usually last as long as the filler is in the skin, which means that short-lived fillers have short-term side effects and permanent fillers may induce life-long adverse effects. The main goal is to prevent them, however, this is not always possible. Utmost care has to be given to the prevention of infections and the injection technique has to be perfect. Treatment of adverse effects is often with hyaluronidase or steroid injections and in some cases together with 5-fluorouracil plus allopurinol orally. Histological examination of biopsy specimens often helps to identify the responsible filler allowing a specific treatment to be adapted.

MRI in the evaluation of facial dermal fillers in normal and complicated cases

OBJECTIVES

To ascertain by MRI the presence of filler injected into facial soft tissue and characterize complications by contrast enhancement.

METHODS

Nineteen volunteers without complications were initially investigated to study the MRI features of facial fillers. We then studied another 26 patients with clinically diagnosed filler-related complications using contrast-enhanced MRI. TSE-T1-weighted, TSE-T2-weighted, fat-saturated TSE-T2-weighted, and TIRM axial and coronal scans were performed in all patients, and contrast-enhanced fat-suppressed TSE-T1-weighted scans were performed in complicated patients, who were then treated with antibiotics. Patients with soft-tissue enhancement and those without enhancement but who did not respond to therapy underwent skin biopsy. Fisher's exact test was used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

MRI identified and quantified the extent of fillers. Contrast enhancement was detected in 9/26 patients, and skin biopsy consistently showed inflammatory granulomatous reaction, whereas in 5/17 patients without contrast enhancement, biopsy showed no granulomas. Fisher's exact test showed significant correlation (p < 0.001) between subcutaneous contrast enhancement and granulomatous reaction. Cervical lymph node enlargement (longitudinal axis >10 mm) was found in 16 complicated patients (65 %; levels IA/IB/IIA/IIB).

CONCLUSIONS

MRI is a useful non-invasive tool for anatomical localization of facial dermal filler; IV gadolinium administration is advised in complicated cases for characterization of granulomatous reaction.

KEY POINTS

• MRI is a non-invasive tool for facial dermal filler detection and localization. • MRI-criteria to evaluate complicated/non-complicated cases after facial dermal filler injections are defined. • Contrast-enhanced MRI detects subcutaneous inflammatory granulomatous reaction due to dermal filler. • 65 % patients with filler-related complications showed lymph-node enlargement versus 31.5 % without complications. • Lymph node enlargement involved cervical levels (IA/IB/IIA/IIB) that drained treated facial areas.

Dermal fillers in aesthetics: an overview of adverse events and treatment approaches

Background

The ever-expanding range of dermal filler products for aesthetic soft tissue augmentation is of benefit for patients and physicians, but as indications and the number of procedures performed increase, the number of complications will likely also increase.

Objective

To describe potential adverse events associated with dermal fillers and to provide structured and clear guidance on their treatment and avoidance.

Methods

Reports of dermal filler complications in the medical literature were reviewed and, based on the publications retrieved and the authors’ extensive experience, recommendations for avoiding and managing complications are provided.

Results

Different dermal fillers have widely varying properties, associated risks, and injection requirements. All dermal fillers have the potential to cause complications. Most are related to volume and technique, though some are associated with the material itself. The majority of adverse reactions are mild and transient, such as bruising and trauma-related edema. Serious adverse events are rare, and most are avoidable with proper planning and technique.

Conclusion

For optimum outcomes, aesthetic physicians should have a detailed understanding of facial anatomy; the individual characteristics of available fillers; their indications, contraindications, benefits, and drawbacks; and ways to prevent and avoid potential complications.

Conservative Surgical Approach for Reduction of Macrocheilitis Caused by Massive Injection of Liquid Silicone

Cosmetic lip augmentation, regardless of the filling agent, is nowadays one of the most requested aesthetic procedures. Liquid silicone injections were used in the past, but after reports of severe late complications their use has been discontinued, ending with a permanent ban in most western countries. In this report we describe clinical presentation, diagnostic pathways and surgical reconstruction of six patients presenting with macrocheilia due to previous liquid silicone augmentation. Patients showed chronic inflammation of the lower third of the face, lip eversion, various degrees of asymmetry and functional impairment of the lips. All patients underwent preoperative soft tissue High Frequency Ultrasound (HFUS) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the of the face to obtain evidence of the filler material and to ascertain its diffusion within the soft tissues of the perioral region. Conservative surgery was carried out to remove foreign material and to restore symmetric aesthetically pleasing lips. Histology confirmed the siliconoma diagnosis. HFUS and RMI allowed to clearly identify the silicone within the soft tissues. The conservative surgery restored the harmonious relationship between the lips, with an improvement in lip functionality at long term follow-up. Healing was complete and uneventful in all of the patients.