Histopathologic response to highly purified liquid silicone injected intradermally in rats' skin

Classification of Foreign Body Reactions due to Industrial Silicone Injection

BACKGROUND

A foreign body reaction (FBR) is a typical tissue response to a biomaterial that has been injected or implanted in human body tissue. There has been a lack of data on the classification of foreign body reaction to silicone injection, which can describe the pattern of body tissue responses to silicone.

OBJECTIVE

Determine the foreign body reaction to silicone injection.

METHOD

We modified the classification proposed by Duranti and colleagues, which has categorized a FBR to hyaluronic acid injection into a new classification of an FBR to silicone injection. A cohort study of 31 women suffering from silicone-induced granulomas on their chin was conducted. Granulomatous tissue and submental skin were stained with hematoxylin–eosin and evaluated.

RESULTS

Our data revealed that there were at least 7 categories of FBRs to silicone injection that could be developed. Categories 1 to 4 showed inflammatory activity, and categories 5 to 8 showed tissue repair by fibrosis.

CONCLUSION

Using histopathological staining, we are able to sequence the steps of body reactions to silicone injection. Initial inflammatory reaction is then replaced by fibrosis process repairing the damaged tissues. The process depends on the host immune tolerance.

Long-term complications of polyethylene glycol injection to the face

Currently, filling, smoothing, or recontouring the face through the use of injectable fillers is one of the most popular forms of cosmetic surgery. Because these materials promise a more youthful appearance without anesthesia in a noninvasive way, various fillers have been used widely in different parts of the world. However, most of these fillers have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration, and their applications might cause unpleasant disfiguring complications. This report describes a case of foreign body granuloma in the cheeks secondary to polyethylene glycol injection and shows the possible complications associated with the use of facial fillers.