Significant Vision Recovery from Filler-Induced Complete Blindness with Combined Intra-Arterial Injection of Hyaluronidase and Thrombolytic Agents

"Filler-Associated Acute Stroke Syndrome": Classification, Predictive Modelling of Hyaluronidase Efficacy, and Updated Case Review on Neurological and Visual Complications

INTRODUCTION

The rising use of soft tissue fillers for aesthetic procedures has seen an increase in complications, including vascular occlusions and neurological symptoms that resemble stroke. This study synthesizes information on central nervous system (CNS) complications post-filler injections and evaluates the effectiveness of hyaluronidase (HYAL) treatment.

METHODS

A thorough search of multiple databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Cochrane, focused on publications from January 2014 to January 2024. Criteria for inclusion covered reviews and case reports that documented CNS complications related to soft tissue fillers. Advanced statistical and computational techniques, including logistic regression, machine learning, and Bayesian analysis, were utilized to dissect the factors influencing therapeutic outcomes.

RESULTS

The analysis integrated findings from 20 reviews and systematic analyses, with 379 cases reported since 2018. Hyaluronic acid (HA) was the most commonly used filler, particularly in nasal region injections. The average age of patients was 38, with a notable increase in case reports in 2020. Initial presentation data revealed that 60.9% of patients experienced no light perception, while ptosis and ophthalmoplegia were present in 54.3 and 42.7% of cases, respectively. The statistical and machine learning analyses did not establish a significant linkage between the HYAL dosage and patient recovery; however, the injection site emerged as a critical determinant.

CONCLUSION

The study concludes that HYAL treatment, while vital for managing complications, varies in effectiveness based on the injection site and the timing of administration. The non-Newtonian characteristics of HA fillers may also affect the incidence of complications. The findings advocate for tailored treatment strategies incorporating individual patient variables, emphasizing prompt and precise intervention to mitigate the adverse effects of soft tissue fillers.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Nonsurgical Rhinoplasty: An Updated Systematic Review of Technique, Outcomes, Complications, and Its Treatments

BACKGROUND

For patients looking for temporary results or who do not want surgery, nonsurgical rhinoplasty using filler injections has become increasingly popular. Filler materials and surgical techniques have improved in recent years, but serious complications remain. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review is to summarize the common types of fillers and injection techniques, complications, and treatment to help clinicians perform in a safer and more effective way.

METHODS

A systematic review was performed using keywords and Medical Subject Headings search terms. PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were searched using the appropriate search terms. Data collected from each study included injection materials, location, technique, patient satisfaction and complications, and treatment.

RESULTS

From the 1812 studies identified, 30 were included in the systematic review. A total of 9657 patients underwent nonsurgical rhinoplasty, most commonly with hyaluronic acid (HA) (96.76%), followed by calcium hydroxyapatite (CaHA) (1.22%). Overall satisfaction was 99.08%. The overall incidence of complications was 39.11%, with the highest incidence of erythema and swelling (27.95%). Most of the complications are mild, but there are still 0.27% of the patients who have undergone severe complication-an arterial occlusion.

CONCLUSIONS

Nonsurgical rhinoplasty is an effective and relatively safe option for improving the profile of the nose, with a short operative time and high patient satisfaction. Most of the complications were mild, but still serious vascular complications such as blindness, skin necrosis, and stroke were as high as 0.27%. A thorough understanding of the anatomy of the nasal vessels and a precise surgical technique is an important basis for prevention. A BULLET POINT LIST: (1) We summarize the common types of fillers and injection techniques, complications, and treatment of complications to guide physicians to perform nonsurgical rhinoplasty in a safer and more effective manner. (2) Out of 1812 studies through the search strategy, 30 articles were included in the systematic review. A total of 9657 patients underwent nonsurgical rhinoplasty. (3) Nonsurgical rhinoplasty is an effective and relatively safe option to improve the profile of the nose, with a short surgical time and high patient satisfaction. (4) Most of the complications were mild, but some severe complications due to the vascular factors such as blindness, skin necrosis, and cerebral infarction need to be vigilant.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Disastrous cerebral and ocular vascular complications after cosmetic facial filler injections: a retrospective case series study

Soft tissue filler injections are among the most popular facial rejuvenation methods. Cerebral infarction and ophthalmic artery occlusion are rare and catastrophic complications, especially when facial cosmetic fillers are injected by inexperienced doctors. Radiologists and plastic surgeons need to increase their awareness of the complications associated with fillers, which allows early diagnosis and intervention to improve patient prognosis. Regarding the mechanism by which vascular occlusion occurs after facial filler injections, a retrograde embolic mechanism is currently the predominant theory. Numerous case reports have been presented regarding complications associated with injections of facial aesthetics. However, the small sample sizes of these studies did not allow for an adequate assessment of the clinical and imaging manifestations based on the location of the occlusion and the type of filler, and detailed elaboration of multiple cerebral infarctions is also lacking. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the clinical and radiological features of severe cerebral and ocular complications caused by cosmetic facial filler injections. In addition, we discuss the pathogenesis, treatment, and prognosis of these patients. The clinical, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) findings were described and analysed. Radiological examinations are crucial for demonstrating severe complications, and brain MRI is especially strongly suggested for patients with cosmetic filler-induced vision loss to identify asymptomatic cerebral infarctions. Extreme caution and care should be taken during facial injections by plastic surgeons.

Administration Method and Potential Efficacy of Hyaluronidase for Hyaluronic Acid Filler-Related Vision Loss: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

With the global increase in the use of injectable fillers, more cases with serious adverse events such vision loss are being reported. This article aims to review the cases of hyaluronic acid (HA) filler-related vision loss and to discuss the potential efficacy of hyaluronidase (HYASE) treatment via different given methods.

METHODS

A total of 29 articles presenting 144 cases of HA filler-related vision loss were included in this study.

RESULTS

Most cases of HA filler-related vision impairment were reported from China, followed by Korea. The majority of cases were seen in women. The nose, forehead and glabella were the most commonly injection sites. All cases had vision impairment and nearly all cases were unilateral with immediate onset of visual signs and symptoms. Ophthalmic artery occlusion (OAO) and central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) were the two most commonly involved arterial obstruction patterns featured with a very poor prognosis followed by branch retinal artery occlusion (BRAO), the most favorable involved arterial pattern for a better prognosis. HYASE given subcutaneously and intra-arterially helped with visual recovery to different degrees, while retrobulbar HYASE seemed to be less helpful.

CONCLUSION

Complications after HA-based filler injection are extremely rare but can cause disastrous visual impairment. HYASE given subcutaneously and intra-arterially helped with visual recovery to different extents, and the efficacy might be reinforced when performed together, while retrobulbar HYASE seemed to be less helpful. However, to accurately access the efficacy of HYASE via different administration methods, further randomized controlled trials are needed.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Clinical Manifestations and Prognosis of Embolism Caused by Filler Injection in Different Facial Regions

Background

Embolism is a serious complication after facial filling, with a usually poor prognosis of the symptoms after embolism. The authors systematically reviewed reported cases of facial vascular embolism, explored the relationship between the location and material used for facial filling and occurrence of vascular embolism, and assessed the prognosis of complications after vascular embolism.

Methods

This study provides a systematic review of published cases of vascular embolism after facial filling. A summary of the filling materials and filling sites for each case, the adverse reactions and embolized blood vessels, a recording of the time when each patient experienced adverse reactions and started treatment, and a presentation of their prognosis are provided.

Results

The frontal, eyebrow, and nose are common filling sites causing facial embolism. The main clinical manifestations after embolism were visual impairment, skin necrosis, and ptosis. The prognosis of visual impairment after embolization was poor, whereas skin necrosis and ptosis generally improved after treatment.

Conclusions

This article aimed to review the clinical manifestations, therapies, and prognosis of embolism after facial filling. A better understanding of these complications can help clinicians to detect the occurrence of complications as early as possible and give patients timely treatment.

Central retinal artery occlusion following facial injection of hyaluronic acid

A 57-year-old woman with no premorbidities presented with symptoms of sudden painless vision loss in the right eye (RE). Best-corrected visual acuity in the RE was counting fingers to. A relative afferent pupillary defect was observed in the RE. Ocular fundus examination of RE was suggestive of central retinal artery occlusion. Systemic evaluation was normal. The most interesting fact in this case is that a hemorrhagic edema in the right glabellar region was the basis for the diagnostic suspicion. The patient recognized the loss of vision 24 hours after hyaluronic acid injection as a facial rejuvenation treatment.

Long-term Prognosis of Vision Loss Caused by Facial Hyaluronic Acid Injections and the Potential Approaches to Address This Catastrophic Event

BACKGROUND

Vision loss is a serious complication of hyaluronic acid (HA) filler injections, and long-term observations regarding the prognosis, particularly with angiography, are rare.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to investigate the long-term prognosis and living status of patients with visual defects due to HA filler injections.

METHODS

Nine patients with vision loss caused by HA filler injections and receiving different treatments were included and followed up for 2 to 6 years after their accident. Follow-ups, including outpatient ophthalmologic examinations, were performed.

RESULTS

In the follow-up observation, all patients had reintegrated into society and work. The prognosis was similar for all hyaluronidase treatments, including retrobulbar injections and superselective ophthalmic artery thrombolysis. The facial appearance was not remarkably affected, and only 3 patients reported slight scarring. Ptosis disappeared in all the patients, and slight strabismus was found in 5 patients. However, vision improvement was very limited, even in the patients whose occluded retinal central artery received reperfusion.

CONCLUSIONS

This long-term follow-up showed that the patients with vision loss caused by HA filler injections could reintegrate into society after treatment. Although the embolization of the retinal central artery led to reperfusion, vision was not restored, which further demonstrated the difficulty of recovering vision with the current treatment and the importance of prophylaxis. Autohydrolysis of HA by incorporating hyaluronidase-containing stimuli-responsive nanoparticles and a dual-pipe syringe are potential future approaches to address this catastrophic event.

Hyaluronic Acid Fillers, Needle Contamination by Fastidious Microorganisms, and Risk of Complications

BACKGROUND

Complications are becoming ever more common with the increased use of hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers in aesthetic medicine. Complications due to needle contamination with fastidious microorganisms are no exception.

OBJECTIVE

To perform, in a top Italian aesthetic medicine facility, what the authors think is the first monitoring program of microbial needle contamination of cross-linked HA gel fillers after the prefilled syringes with gel residues were stored for retouches after the first aesthetic procedure.

METHODS

Needle contamination monitoring study, performed between January and November 2019, on 35 needles (caliber, 30 and 27 G) stored at 4°C in their resealed filler packages for possible retouch after a first aesthetic treatment involving the middle and lower facial thirds. Women's age: 35 to 70 years old.

RESULTS

The search for contaminating agents of the 3 monitored bacterial contaminants ( Staphylococcus aureus , Streptococcus pyogenes , and anaerobes) as well as yeasts and molds always tested negative. In the days and months after treatment, no patients in post-treatment controls showed evidence of infection in the treated areas.

CONCLUSION

The observational retrospective study confirms that good storage conditions, including monitored refrigeration, avoid the risk of contamination of partially used HA gel fillers by fastidious microorganisms.

Reversible Vision Loss Following Nonsurgical Filler Rhinoplasty

The increase in the frequency and popularity of aesthetic filler injections is accompanied by a high risk of complications, including ophthalmological sequalae. Of these, loss of vision is considered the most dangerous and, in most cases, irreversible. We present a case report of a patient who experienced acute vision loss due to suspected partial occlusion of the ophthalmic artery following nonsurgical rhinoplasty with hyaluronic acid filler injection. It differs from others in that treatment in the form of a combination of multiple subcutaneous hyaluronidase injections into the periocular region, a single retrobulbar injection of hyaluronidase, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy led to a significant recovery of ophthalmic symptoms with only residual visual field defects remaining.

Bridging a Century-Old Problem: The Pathophysiology and Molecular Mechanisms of HA Filler-Induced Vascular Occlusion (FIVO)-Implications for Therapeutic Interventions

Biocompatible hyaluronic acid (HA, hyaluronan) gel implants have altered the therapeutic landscape of surgery and medicine, fostering an array of innovative products that include viscosurgical aids, synovial supplements, and drug-eluting nanomaterials. However, it is perhaps the explosive growth in the cosmetic applications of injectable dermal fillers that has captured the brightest spotlight, emerging as the dominant modality in plastic surgery and aesthetic medicine. The popularity surge with which injectable HA fillers have risen to in vogue status has also brought a concomitant increase in the incidence of once-rare iatrogenic vaso-occlusive injuries ranging from disfiguring facial skin necrosis to disabling neuro-ophthalmological sequelae. As our understanding of the pathophysiology of these injuries has evolved, supplemented by more than a century of astute observations, the formulation of novel therapeutic and preventative strategies has permitted the amelioration of this burdensome complication. In this special issue article, we review the relevant mechanisms underlying HA filler-induced vascular occlusion (FIVO), with particular emphasis on the rheo-mechanical aspects of vascular blockade; the thromboembolic potential of HA mixtures; and the tissue-specific ischemic susceptibility of microvascular networks, which leads to underperfusion, hypoxia, and ultimate injury. In addition, recent therapeutic advances and novel considerations on the prevention and management of muco-cutaneous and neuro-ophthalmological complications are examined.

Sudden vision loss and neurological deficits after facial hyaluronic acid filler injection

BACKGROUND

The ongoing expansion of the cosmetic armamentarium of facial rejuvenation fails to uncover the inherent risks of cosmetic interventions. Informed consent to all risks of cosmetic filler injections and potential sequelae, including ocular and neurological complications, should be carefully ensured. We present two cases of complications following facial hyaluronic acid filler injections.

CASE PRESENTATIONS

Case 1: A 43-year-old woman presented with monocular vision loss of the left eye, associated ptosis, ophthalmoplegia, periocular pain and nausea, cutaneous changes of the glabella region and forehead, and sensory impairment in the left maxillary branch dermatome (V2) after receiving a hyaluronic acid (HA) filler injection into the left glabellar area. On ophthalmological examination, an ophthalmic artery occlusion (OAO) was diagnosed upon identification of a "cherry-red spot". Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a left ischemic optic neuropathy. Supportive therapy and hyaluronidase injections were initiated. A follow-up MRI of the head performed two months after presentation corresponded to stable MRI findings. The patient had irreversible and complete vision loss of the left eye, however, the ptosis resolved. Case 2: A 29-year-old woman was admitted to hospital a few hours after a rhinoplasty and cheek augmentation with hyaluronic acid, presenting with acute monocular vision loss in the right eye, retrobulbar pain, fatigue and vomiting. In addition, the patient presented a harbinger of impending skin necrosis and a complete oculomotor nerve palsy on the right side, choroidal ischemia and vision impairment. Supportive treatment and hyaluronidase injections into the ischemic tissue were initiated. A small scar at the tip of the nose, vision impairment and an irregular pupillary margin on the right side persisted at follow-up.

CONCLUSION

These two case reports and the literature review emphasize the pathophysiological mechanisms leading to potentially devastating complications. In order to reduce the risk of vision loss secondary to cosmetic filler injections, practitioners should possess a thorough knowledge of anatomy and preventive strategies.