Inflammatory, immune-mediated adverse reactions related to soft tissue dermal fillers

Sarcoidosis and Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA) Granulomas following COVID-19 Vaccination (ChAdOx1): Successful Treatment with Tofacitinib

Sarcoidosis and complications related to fillers have been reported following the COVID-19 vaccination. Additionally, cutaneous sarcoidosis has been observed around polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) injection sites. Foreign-body reactions to PMMA can occur simultaneously with systemic sarcoidosis, suggesting a shared pathogenic mechanism between both conditions. To report a case of sarcoidosis and PMMA granulomas following COVID-19 vaccination (ChAdOx11), successfully treated with tofacitinib. We present a 59-year-old woman who developed systemic sarcoidosis and a granulomatous reaction to PMMA filler following the COVID-19 vaccination (ChAdOx11). Notably, both PMMA and the vaccine were potential triggers for sarcoidosis. Treatment with tofacitinib produced marked improvement in both the cutaneous and pulmonary involvement of sarcoidosis and the granulomatous reaction to PMMA. This successful outcome suggests tofacitinib, a pan-JAK inhibitor, an alternative treatment for cutaneous and systemic sarcoidosis, as well as a potential therapy for granulomatous complications of dermal fillers, such as PMMA.

Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination or Infection on the Safety and Efficacy of Aesthetic Injections: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Aesthetic injections have become increasingly popular for maintaining a youthful appearance. However, with the rise of SARS-CoV-2, there have been concerns about potential complications. This study aims to summarize and understand the complications that occur in individuals who have received cosmetic injections after SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination. By doing so, we hope to provide recommendations to minimize these complications and ensure the safety of aesthetic treatments in the current COVID-19 era.

METHODS

The PRISMA guidelines, the Preferred Reporting Program for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses, were used for this review. Databases including PubMed, EMBASE, Medline, Web of Science and ScienceDirect were searched. The last search time of each database was May 10, 2023. In addition, relevant references were manually searched.

RESULTS

A total of 26 studies containing 139 patients were searched. The complication with the highest percentage of reported patients was delayed inflammatory response (DIR) (n = 68; 48.92%), followed by diminished efficacy (n = 45; 32.37%) and filler reaction (n = 12; 8.63%). The remaining complications include hypersensitivity reactions, symptomatic hypercalcemia, sub-acute hypersensitive reactions, hyperalgesia, infection, fat necrosis and granulomatous reaction.

CONCLUSIONS

Cosmetic injectable procedures are generally safe but may have adverse effects, particularly during the pandemic. It is important for individuals to fully understand these risks beforehand. Clinicians should be knowledgeable about adverse event mechanisms and management to prevent issues. Industry leaders should strengthen risk management efforts to ensure safe and steady development of cosmetic injections. Overall, a comprehensive understanding, effective communication and risk management are crucial for the safe use of cosmetic injectable procedures.

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 at www.springer.com/00266 .

Microblading reaction as a manifestation of systemic sarcoidosis: two case reports and a review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Sarcoidosis is a multisystemic disease characterized by granulomatous inflammation. Sarcoidosis often poses a diagnostic challenge owing to its nonspecific or mild clinical features. In 20-35% of cases, sarcoidosis initially presents on skin. However, skin lesions commonly mimic dermatological conditions. Therefore, it is important to not underestimate the skin manifestations and perform histopathological examinations to make a timely diagnosis.

CASE PRESENTATION

We present two cases of 33-year-old Caucasian female patients with orange-red macules and plaques that developed in the eyebrow area 1 and 6 years after microblading, respectively. Histopathological examination confirmed a diagnosis of sarcoidosis. The lymph nodes and lungs were also affected in both patients.

CONCLUSION

Our two reports suggest that an esthetic procedure involving dermal or subcutaneous injection of foreign materials can trigger the development of cutaneous and systemic sarcoidosis. However, this relationship has not been described yet. Physicians should, therefore, be aware of this complication to properly evaluate and treat such patients in a timely manner.

Use of Minimal Amounts of Hyaluronidase in the Ultrasound-Guided Treatment of Acute Vascular Occlusion by Hyaluronic Acid: A Preliminary Report

Background

Complications from hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers are increasingly frequent, given the very high number of treatments performed every day worldwide. They are routinely treated with high doses of hyaluronidase, which can cause significant local and general unwanted effects.

Objectives

The aim of our work is to demonstrate that when the origin of the complication is precisely identified and treated under ultrasound guidance, a few hyaluronidase units are enough to treat it effectively.

Methods

Five young female patients came to our observation for vascular lesions from injection of HA fillers performed in the immediately preceding days, in 4 cases, and a few weeks earlier in the fifth case. All lesions were accurately identified by ultrasound and treated with hyaluronidase.

Results

The 4 promptly treated patients fully recovered with a hyaluronidase dose of 87 ± 44 IU (range, 30-150 IU). The fifth patient, treated later, markedly improved regarding clinical picture and symptoms. No early or late side effects have been reported from this hyaluronidase dosage.

Conclusions

Our data confirm that if the lesion at the origin of the skin damage is precisely localized with ultrasound examination and treated under ultrasound guidance, a few units of hyaluronidase, injected directly into the HA accumulation, effectively resolve the skin damage. At the doses we used, which were much lower than those usually recommended, hyaluronidase proved to be not only effective but also free of any side effects.

Level of Evidence 5

Safety of esthetic procedures in rheumatic patients: single-center survey of patients

The popularity of esthetic medicine is growing every year, also among patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIRD). The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety of esthetic medicine (AM) procedures in patients with AIRD. A semi-structured, anonymous questionnaire regarding rheumatic and concomitant diseases and AM procedures was distributed among adult patients hospitalized in the rheumatology department or attending outpatient clinic in the National Institute of Geriatrics, Rheumatology, and Rehabilitation, Warsaw. The main outcome was the occurrence of an adverse event. A number of 512 patients took part in the survey and 15 were excluded (AM procedure preceded the diagnosis of AIRD). The study group consisted of 497 patients, of whom 47 had undergone AM procedures. The procedures performed included: tattooing (22 patients), piercing (16 patients), hyaluronic acid (7 patients), botulinum toxin (5 patients) injections, laser procedures (6 patients), plastic surgery (4 patients), mesotherapy (3 patients) and others. The vast majority of patients had these performed during remission or low disease activity. 70.2% of patients received treatment with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) during the AM procedure, with TNF-alfa inhibitors being the most common (63.6%). Adverse events occurred in 15% of patients. All were mild and transient site reactions. Most patients would like to repeat the AM procedure in the future. The use of esthetic medicine procedures in patients with AIRD, including those treated with biologic DMARDs, was associated with a risk of mild site reactions. Most of the patients expressed satisfaction with the results of the AM procedure.

Advances on Capsular Contracture-Prevention and Management Strategies: A Narrative Review of the Literature

Capsular contracture (CC) is the most relevant complication of both aesthetic and reconstructive breast implant surgery. For many years, experimental and clinical trials have attempted to analyze CC risk factors, clinical features, and appropriate management strategies. It is commonly accepted that a multifactorial etiology promotes CC development. However, the heterogeneity in patients, implants and surgical techniques make it difficult to suitably compare or analyze specific factors. As a consequence, discordant data are present in literature, and a true systematic review is often limited in its conclusions. Hence, we decided to present a comprehensive review of current theories on prevention and management strategies, rather than a specific "solution" to this complication.

Methods

The PubMed database was searched for literature regarding CC prevention and management strategies. Pertinent articles in English, published before December 1, 2022, were compared with selection criteria and eventually included in this review.

Results

Through the initial search, 97 articles were identified, of which 38 were included in the final study. Several articles explored different medical and surgical preventive and therapeutic strategies, showing numerous controversies on appropriate CC management.

Conclusions

This review provides a clear overview of the complexity of CC. The wide variety of clinical situations in term of patients, implants, and surgical techniques prevent the standardization of CC management strategies. By contrast, a patient-customized approach should be preferred, and different strategies should be considered depending on the specific case. Further research is desirable to better ascertain evidence-based protocols with regard to CC prevention and treatment.

Poly-D,L-Lactic Acid Filler Increases Extracellular Matrix by Modulating Macrophages and Adipose-Derived Stem Cells in Aged Animal Skin

Poly-D,L-lactic acid (PDLLA) filler corrects soft tissue volume loss by increasing collagen synthesis in the dermis; however, the mechanism is not fully understood. Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) are known to attenuate the decrease in fibroblast collagen synthesis that occurs during aging, and nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like-2 factor (NRF2) increases ASCs survival by inducing M2 macrophage polarization and IL-10 expression. We evaluated the ability of PDLLA to induce collagen synthesis in fibroblasts by modulating macrophages and ASCs in a H₂O₂-induced cellular senescence model and aged animal skin. PDLLA increased M2 polarization and NRF2 and IL-10 expression in senescence-induced macrophages. Conditioned media from senescent macrophages treated with PDLLA (PDLLA-CM_MΦ) reduced senescence and increased proliferation and expression of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 2 in senescence-induced ASCs. Conditioned media from senescent ASCs treated with PDLLA-CM_MΦ (PDLLA-CM_ASCs) increased the expression of collagen 1a1 and collagen 3a1 and reduced the expression of NF-κB and MMP2/3/9 in senescence-induced fibroblasts. Injection of PDLLA in aged animal skin resulted in increased expression of NRF2, IL-10, collagen 1a1, and collagen 3a1 and increased ASCs proliferation in aged animal skin. These results suggest that PDLLA increases collagen synthesis by modulating macrophages to increase NRF2 expression, which stimulates ASCs proliferation and secretion of TGF-β and FGF2. This leads to increased collagen synthesis, which can attenuate aging-induced soft tissue volume loss.

Side effects after hyaluronic acid facial injection in adults during COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND

Different causes may be responsible for delayed inflammatory reactions after hyaluronic acid injections, among them several mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2.

AIMS

The study's objective was to assess the percentage of adverse reactions after hyaluronic acid injections in a cohort of adult patients with a test for SARS-CoV-2 or vaccinated during the COVID-19 pandemic.

PATIENTS/METHODS

An observational, retrospective, comparative, multi-center, non-interventional in a real-life setting study was carried out with patients treated with facial injections of hyaluronic acid from May to September 2021, with a test to discard SARS-COV 2 or that had been vaccinated.

RESULTS

Sixty-three patients were included. Seven (11.1%) were vaccinated patients without a test for SaRS-CoV-2 and 56 (88.9%) with antigenic or PCR screening tests (18 [32.1%] negative and 39 [69.6%] positives for COVID-19). The mean age was 51.3 (SD 12.71; range 23-70), and 57 (90.5%) were female. Twenty-three patients (36.5%) had a history of adverse events with hyaluronic acid injections. During the study, 15 adverse events were reported; 11 patients (73.3%) had a history (p = 0.0018); two patients (13.3%) had been vaccinated; 13 (86.7%) had performed a SARS-CoV2 test (six [46.2%] negatives, and seven [53.8%] with a positive result; p = 0.5969). All adverse study events were resolved, and none had sequelae.

CONCLUSION

Adverse events after hyaluronic acid facial injections were higher among patients with a history but not among those diagnosed with COVID-19. The new scenario related to COVID-19 infections or vaccinations would require readapting criteria for applying hyaluronic acid injections.

Recurrent Periorbital Edema Associated With Retained Foreign Body After Filler Injection

A 34-year-old man presented with recurrent bilateral periorbital swelling and pain for 16 years after receiving facial fillers of an unknown substance in a hotel room from a stranger claiming to work in a medical office. Exam demonstrated a firm, mildly tender nodule along the right upper cheek. Imaging revealed a tubular hyperdensity in the right premaxillary soft tissues. Lower eyelid and upper cheek dissection resulted in retrieval of a tubular metallic foreign body consistent with a needle. Histopathology of surrounding tissue demonstrated iron deposition with granulomatous inflammation. Periocular fillers are a common aesthetic procedure. Although generally well-tolerated, complications include inflammatory reactions, infection, necrosis, and vision loss. This case highlights retention of a metallic foreign body, a complication of filler injection that has not been previously reported, emphasizing the importance of careful injection technique by licensed professionals and imaging and surgical exploration if a foreign body is suspected.

Effect of Different Amine Catalysts on the Thermomechanical and Cytotoxic Properties of 'Visco'-Type Polyurethane Foam for Biomedical Applications

Components for manufacturing polyurethane foams can adversely affect the human body, particularly if they are in contact with it for long periods. In applications where the foam is not placed directly into the body, the study of the product's effects is often neglected. In the case of human skin, distinguishing the increasingly frequent problems of skin atopy, more attention should be paid to this. This paper presents the influence of the different catalytic systems on cytotoxic and thermomechanical properties in polyurethane foams. Among others, foams were produced with the most popular catalysts on the market, DABCO and a metal-organic tin catalyst. The foams were characterized by thermomechanical properties and were subjected to a cytotoxicity test against human keratinocytes. In biocompatibility tests with skin cells, the results were highly variable. VAB 2 with a catalytic system consisting of commercial Diethanolamine and Addocat^®105 performed the best. However, with such a catalytic system, the mechanical properties have worsened.

No association found between late-onset inflammatory adverse events after soft tissue filler injections and the adaptive immune system

BACKGROUND

To date, it is unknown why some individuals develop late-onset inflammatory adverse events after treatment with fillers. These events may result from various factors, including an immunological response of the adaptive immune system.

OBJECTIVE

In a pilot study, we looked for evidence that is there a relation between late-onset inflammatory adverse events and the presence of immune cells surrounding the injected filler.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

We included 47 patients, of whom 20 experienced late-onset inflammatory adverse events to different fillers (inflammatory group) and 27 who did not (reference group). A biopsy was taken from the area of the adverse event. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and immunohistochemistry analysis with CD3 (T-cells) and CD68 (macrophages) on paraffin tissue sections was used to assess the biopsies.

RESULTS

Immune cells were found in biopsies obtained from 18 of 47 patients: Nine biopsies from the inflammation group and nine from the reference group. All these 18 cases showed CD68-positive immune cells. Virtually no CD3-positive immune cells were found.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate that there is no T-cell activity in biopsies from areas with late-onset adverse events after filler injections. The macrophages found in the biopsies are probably not responsible for the inflammatory response.

Preparing Patients for Cosmetic Surgery and Aesthetic Procedures: Ensuring an Optimal Nutritional Status for Successful Results

Aesthetic and cosmetic medical practices have attracted considerable consumer attention globally. However, possible complications vary and range from mild, self-resolving ecchymoses or edema to more persistent complications. The aim of this review is to identify the nutritional deficits or excesses associated with the major complications of reconstructive surgery, aesthetic surgery, and mini-invasive aesthetic procedures. An additional goal is to provide a bundle of actions for professionals working in the industry in order to reduce the risks of aesthetic procedures and improve the clinical outcomes. Granulomas, hypertrophic scars and keloids, seromas, infections and xerosis, hyperpigmentation, petechiae, livedo reticularis, slower wound healing, and other poor outcomes are frequently associated with nutritional deficiencies. Nutritional status can markedly affect wound healing and tissue repair following surgical interventions, as well as the outcomes of aesthetic and cosmetic medical practices. Professionals working in this industry, therefore, need to consider the nutritional aspects of their patients to obtain the best results.

Cell-Laden Marine Gelatin Methacryloyl Hydrogels Enriched with Ascorbic Acid for Corneal Stroma Regeneration

Corneal pathologies from infectious or noninfectious origin have a significant impact on the daily lives of millions of people worldwide. Despite the risk of organ rejection or infection, corneal transplantation is currently the only effective treatment. Finding safe and innovative strategies is the main goal of tissue-engineering-based approaches. In this study, the potential of gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogels produced from marine-derived gelatin and loaded with ascorbic acid (as an enhancer of the biological activity of cells) was evaluated for corneal stromal applications. Marine GelMA was synthesized with a methacrylation degree of 75%, enabling effective photocrosslinking, and hydrogels with or without ascorbic acid were produced, encompassing human keratocytes. All the produced formulations exhibited excellent optical and swelling properties with easy handling as well as structural stability and adequate degradation rates that may allow proper extracellular matrix remodeling by corneal stromal cells. Formulations loaded with 0.5 mg/mL of ascorbic acid enhanced the biological performance of keratocytes and induced collagen production. These results suggest that, in addition to marine-derived gelatin being suitable for the synthesis of GelMA, the hydrogels produced are promising biomaterials for corneal regeneration applications.

NOT SO "HAPPY BUMP": A complication due to hyaluronic acid

INTRODUCTION

The use of hyaluronic acid (HA) as a dermal filler is considered safe. However, as new brands come to the market, reports of adverse events are becoming more and more common.

OBJECTIVE

To describe a particular type of adverse effect that, unlike the erythematous, indurated, and painful nodules described in the literature as "angry red bumps," is characterized by noninflammatory, stony-like nodules that appear in sites previously treated with HA.

METHODS

The report of four patients who presented this complication, and the occurrence of two HA syringes from the same batch that had hardened the product inside at the time of filling.

CONCLUSION

The authors propose the nomenclature "happy bump" to group adverse reactions to HA that translate into noninflammatory nodules, with a stony consistency, appearing up to 4 weeks (recent) or after one month (late) in sites previously treated with AH.

Review of Delayed Reactions to 15 Hyaluronic Acid Fillers

BACKGROUND

Delayed-onset reactions are increasingly relevant given the growing use of hyaluronic acid dermal fillers. There is poor understanding of the phenomenon's etiology and incidence.

OBJECTIVE

To highlight differences between the dermal filler products with an emphasis on delayed-onset reaction incidence, pathogenesis, prevention, and treatment.

METHODS

A literature review was performed for delayed-onset reactions following hyaluronic acid dermal filler injection using PubMeb and Embase. Articles were included based on relevance, quality, and the predetermined definition of "delayed-onset reaction" (>30 days post injection). A total of 28 studies were included in the data analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 13,136 subjects from 28 studies treated with 15 filler types were included in the analysis. VYC-15L dermal filler injections carried the highest risk of delayed reaction with a mean incidence of 3.83% ( n = 46/1,202), followed by VYC-20L (0.92%) and VYC-17.5L (0.88%). The mean incidence of delayed reactions among all filler types was 1.13%.

CONCLUSION

Incidence of delayed reaction to hyaluronic fillers ranges from 0% to 3.83% (mean = 1.13%) and varies by filler type. The exact etiology of these delayed reactions remains disputed. Future studies should report reaction description, precise timeline, and posttreatment immunologic history to better delineate the incidence of delayed-onset hypersensitivity reactions.

Inflammatory immune-mediated adverse reactions induced by COVID-19 vaccines in previously injected patients with soft tissue fillers: a case-series of 20 patients

Background

Adverse events (AE) after COVID‐19 vaccines, particularly, but not solely, with those messenger RNA (mRNA)‐based vaccines, have rarely been reported in patients previously treated with dermal fillers (DF).

Objective

To evaluate the morphology, clinical characteristics, the timing of presentation, and outcomes of inflammatory AE appeared in patients injected with DF, after anti‐COVID‐19 vaccination.

Methods

Descriptive study of a case series of 20 consecutive patients collected after the occurrence of AE in previously filled areas post COVID‐19 vaccination.

Results

From January 2021 to July 2021, we analyzed 20 AE reactions triggered by COVID‐19 vaccines in the previously mentioned cohort. They were vaccinated with Pfizer/Biontech (11; 55%), Moderna (5; 25%), Astra‐Zeneca (3; 15%), and Sputnik (1; 5%). The most common manifestations were oedema/swelling, angioedema, erythema, skin induration, and granuloma. Less common reactions included myalgia and lymphadenopathy. In 13/20 (65%) cases, the AE appeared after the first dose of vaccine. These inflammatory AE appeared more rapidly after the second dose than after the first one. In 13/20 (65%) cases, the symptomatology subsided with anti‐inflammatory/antihistaminic drugs, while spontaneously in 3/20 (15%). The manifestations are ongoing.in the remaining four cases (20%).

Conclusion

Although probably rare, both RNA‐based and adenovirus‐based anti‐COVID‐19 vaccines can cause inflammatory bouts in patients previously treated with DF. In these cases, caution should be paid on subsequent vaccine doses, considering a tailored risk/benefit for any case before next vaccination.

Incidence and Treatment of Delayed-onset Nodules After VYC Filler Injections to 2139 Patients at a Single Canadian Clinic

Background

Data suggest that hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers using VYC technology have a higher incidence of delayed‐onset nodule development at facial injection sites than earlier HA products.

Objective

To assess the incidence of delayed‐onset nodules with VYC products based on a single experienced injector.

Methods and Materials

Patients with delayed‐onset nodules after injections with VYC‐20L, VYC‐17.5L, and VYC‐15L were identified by retrospective chart review.

Results

Since 2010, 2139 patients received injections from the same physician with combinations of VYC‐20L (57.6% of patients; 2.4 syringes/patient), VYC‐17.5L (23.9%; 1.5), or VYC‐15L (18.5%; 1.5). Seven female patients (mean age, 62 years) developed delayed‐onset nodules for an overall incidence of 0.33%. A potential inflammatory trigger (reported by 6 patients) occurred 1–168 days prior to nodule development. Nodule biopsy in 1 patient confirmed a foreign‐body granuloma. The most effective treatment incorporated prednisone with or without hyaluronidase, and in 2 patients, nodules resolved spontaneously. The incidence of delayed‐onset nodules was not associated with injection technique or amount of product used.

Conclusion

VYC‐associated incidence of delayed‐onset nodules (0.33%) was lower than earlier estimates from previous studies. In the current analysis, VYC‐15L had a rate of delayed reactions comparable with non‐VYC products.

Delayed adverse reaction to a natural dermal filler mimicking salivary gland neoplasia

BACKGROUND

Cosmetic dermal fillers are a sought-after procedure globally. However, despite the safety claims of filler materials by the manufacturers, adverse reactions still occur.

CASE PRESENTATION

This case report is of a 66-year-old female who presented with a late-onset complication of a hyaluronic acid dermal filler that clinically mimicked a salivary gland neoplasm. The patient presented with firm peri-oral swellings of short duration that clinically mimicked a pleomorphic adenoma and mucoepidermoid carcinoma. The diagnosis was that of a foreign-body granulomatous response to dermal fillers. Although other mimics of a similar nature are reported a knowledgeable clinician, careful choice of filler material, knowledge of the product, thorough pre-procedural history taking and post-procedural patient follow-up can drastically minimize a possible misdiagnosis. The reaction was treated with a combination of hyaluronidase, betamethasone and 5-flurouracil intra-lesional injections monthly for 11 consecutive months, with total clinical resolution.

CONCLUSIONS

Patient education of the procedure, product name and the possibility of an adverse reaction occurring, even years later or at a site distant to the initial site of placement, is vital. Further, we review the recent reported adverse association of the new mRNA COVID-19 vaccines and dermal filler placement.

Drug Delivery from Hyaluronic Acid–BDDE Injectable Hydrogels for Antibacterial and Anti-Inflammatory Applications

Hyaluronic acid (HA) injectable biomaterials are currently applied in numerous biomedical areas, beyond their use as dermal fillers. However, bacterial infections and painful inflammations are associated with healthcare complications that can appear after injection, restricting their applicability. Fortunately, HA injectable hydrogels can also serve as drug delivery platforms for the controlled release of bioactive agents with a critical role in the control of certain diseases. Accordingly, herein, HA hydrogels were crosslinked with 1 4-butanediol diglycidyl ether (BDDE) loaded with cefuroxime (CFX), tetracycline (TCN), and amoxicillin (AMX) antibiotics and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) anti-inflammatory agent in order to promote antibacterial and anti-inflammatory responses. The hydrogels were thoroughly characterized and a clear correlation between the crosslinking grade and the hydrogels’ physicochemical properties was found after rheology, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetry (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analyses. The biological safety of the hydrogels, expected due to the lack of BDDE residues observed in ¹H-NMR spectroscopy, was also corroborated by an exhaustive biocompatibility test. As expected, the in vitro antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity of the drug-loaded HA-BDDE hydrogels was confirmed against Staphylococcus aureus by significantly decreasing the pro-inflammatory cytokine levels.

Silk-based phyto-hydrogel formulation expedites key events of wound healing in full-thickness skin defect model

Immense socio-economic burden of chronic wound demands effective, low-cost strategies for wound care. Herein, we have developed a chemical crosslinker-free phyto-hydrogel by encapsulating phytochemicals of Aloe vera mucilage extract (AVM) in the self-assembled polymeric chains of two different silk fibroin (SF) proteins (from Bombyx mori and Antheraea assamensis). Additionally, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) has been used as a stabilizer that also contributed to the mucoadhesive property of the composite (SAP; made of SF, AVM, and PVP) hydrogel. The physicochemical properties of the hydrogel were evaluated and compared with SF hydrogel containing only SF proteins without any additives. The biocompatibility assessment of the hydrogel under in vitro conditions has shown improved cellular proliferative and migratory responses, suggesting faster tissue repairability of the hydrogel. A detailed in vivo comparative study with a commercially available DuoDERM® gel revealed that SAP hydrogel not only promoted wound closure but also showed better deposition and remodeling of the extracellular matrix. Moreover, the hydrogel also demonstrated its ability to downregulate pro-inflammatory markers (IL-1β, TNF-α) and upregulation of anti-inflammatory markers (IL-10, TGF-β) at the early stage of healing. Therefore, the bioactive proteins-carbohydrates composite efficiently accelerates skin regeneration and possesses great translational potential to offer a low-cost alternative wound care therapeutic.

An evaluation of the long-term safety and biodegradability of hyaluronic acid dermal fillers (YVOIRE® ) for the correction of nasolabial folds: Two multicenter, prospective, observational cohort studies

BACKGROUND

The therapeutic effects of hyaluronic acid dermal fillers to correct facial wrinkles and folds usually last up to 6-12 months. Few studies have evaluated their long-term safety.

AIMS

To evaluate the long-term safety and biodegradability of two hyaluronic acid dermal fillers (YVOIRE^® classic s and YVOIRE^® volume s) for the correction of nasolabial folds (NLFs) in two prospective, observational studies.

METHODS

Subjects scheduled to receive the injections of YVOIRE^® classic s (N = 503) or YVOIRE^® volume s (N = 503) at NLFs were followed up until complete clinical biodegradation, defined as a change in Wrinkle Severity Rating Scale (WSRS) score of ≥0 from baseline. The primary biodegradation endpoint was the proportion of subjects with complete clinical biodegradation during or after the 104-week post-treatment period.

RESULTS

Complete clinical biodegradation was observed in 93.5% [95% CI 91.0-95.5%] of 494 assessable YVOIRE^® classic s recipients and 98.5% [95% CI 97.0-99.4%] of 469 YVOIRE^® volume s recipients during the 104-week post-treatment period. In most subjects, complete clinical biodegradation was observed within 52 weeks of the last treatment. Treatment-related adverse events (AEs) (mostly mild local injection-site reactions) occurred within 52 weeks post-treatment, in 68.2% and 75.0% of YVOIRE^® classic s and YVOIRE^® volume s recipients, respectively. During the 12- to 18-months after YVOIRE^® volume s injection, 0.6% of subjects had treatment-related AEs (local injection-site reactions). No treatment-related AEs occurred 12- to 24-months after YVOIRE^® classic s injection.

CONCLUSIONS

YVOIRE^® classic s and YVOIRE^® volume s can be safely used to correct NLFs. Total clinical biodegradation tends to occur within 12 months of injection.

Study of the immunologic response of marine-derived collagen and gelatin extracts for tissue engineering applications

The host immunologic response to a specific material is a critical aspect when considering it for clinical implementation. Collagen and gelatin extracted from marine sources have been proposed as biomaterials for tissue engineering applications, but there is a lack of information in the literature about their immunogenicity. In this work, we evaluated the immune response to collagen and/or gelatin from blue shark and codfish, previously extracted and characterized. After endotoxin evaluation, bone marrow-derived macrophages were exposed to the materials and a panel of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines were evaluated both for protein quantification and gene expression. Then, the impact of those materials in the host was evaluated through peritoneal injection in C57BL/6 mice. The results suggested shark collagen as the less immunogenic material, inducing low expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines as well as inducible nitric oxide synthase (encoded by Nos2) and high expression of Arginase 1 (encoded by Arg1). Although shark gelatin appeared to be the material with higher pro-inflammatory expression, it also presents a high expression of IL-10 (anti-inflammatory cytokine) and Arginase (both markers for M2-like macrophages). When injected in the peritoneal cavity of mice, our materials demonstrated a transient recruitment of neutrophil, being almost non-existent after 24 hours of injection. Based on these findings, the studied collagenous materials can be considered interesting biomaterial candidates for regenerative medicine as they may induce an activation of the M2-like macrophage population, which is involved in suppressing the inflammatory processes promoting tissue remodeling. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Marine-origin biomaterials are emerging in the biomedical arena, namely the ones based in marine-derived collagen/gelatin proposed as cell templates for tissue regeneration. Nevertheless, although the major cause of implant rejection in clinical practice is the host's negative immune response, there is a lack of information in the literature about the immunological impact of these marine collagenous materials. This work aims to contribute with knowledge about the immunologic response to collagen/gelatin extracted from blue shark and codfish skins. The results demonstrated that despite some differences observed, all the materials can induce a macrophage phenotype related with anti-inflammation resolution and then act as immuno-modulators and anti-inflammatory inducible materials.

Influence of Biomimetically Mineralized Collagen Scaffolds on Bone Cell Proliferation and Immune Activation

Collagen, as the main component of connective tissue, is frequently used in various tissue engineering applications. In this study, porous sponge-like collagen scaffolds were prepared by freeze-drying and were then mineralized in a simulated body fluid. The mechanical stability was similar in both types of scaffolds, but the mineralized scaffolds (MCS) contained significantly more calcium, magnesium and phosphorus than the unmineralized scaffolds (UCS). Although the MCS contained a lower percentage (~32.5%) of pores suitable for cell ingrowth (113–357 μm in diameter) than the UCS (~70%), the number of human-osteoblast-like MG-63 cells on days 1, 3 and 7 after seeding was higher on MCS than on UCS, and the cells penetrated deeper into the MCS. The cell growth in extracts prepared by eluting the scaffolds for 7 days in a cell culture medium was also markedly higher in the MCS extracts, as indicated by real-time monitoring in the sensory xCELLigence system for 7 days. From this point of view, MCS are more promising for bone tissue engineering than UCS. However, MCS evoked a more pronounced inflammatory response than UCS, as indicated by the production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in macrophage-like RAW 264.7 cells in cultures on these scaffolds.

Dermal Filler Injections in Patients With Autoimmune and Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases-The Patients' Perspective

BACKGROUND

Injecting dermal fillers in patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIIRDs) is controversial.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the attitudes of patients with AIIRDs regarding the use of dermal fillers and the side effects of those who underwent them.

METHODS

Patients with AIIRDs who attended a rheumatology outpatient clinic between 2016 and 2018 filled in a questionnaire about their attitudes toward dermal filler injections. The questionnaire evaluated information received from professionals and the factors that influenced their decision of whether or not to undergo the procedures.

RESULTS

Overall, 194 patients with AIIRDs (mean age 56.5 ± 14.0, 99% women) responded. Forty-two of them had previously undergone the injections and intended to repeat them (Group A), 37 had not received filler injections but intended to do so (Group B), and 114 who had never undergone them did not intend to undergo them. The major motivation for undergoing filler injections was social. Patients treated with dermal fillers refrained from informing their rheumatologist about their injections. They were, however, highly satisfied with the procedure and reported negligible side effects.

CONCLUSION

The use of dermal fillers was apparently safe and well received by patients with AIIRDs. Physicians' recommendations to refrain from injecting them with dermal fillers should be reconsidered and evaluated in clinical studies.

Comparative Metabolomics Reveals the Microenvironment of Common T-Helper Cells and Differential Immune Cells Linked to Unique Periapical Lesions

Periapical abscesses, radicular cysts, and periapical granulomas are the most frequently identified pathological lesions in the alveolar bone. While little is known about the initiation and progression of these conditions, the metabolic environment and the related immunological behaviors were examined for the first time to model the development of each pathological condition. Metabolites were extracted from each lesion and profiled using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in comparison with healthy pulp tissue. The metabolites were clustered and linked to their related immune cell fractions. Clusters I and J in the periapical abscess upregulated the expression of MMP-9, IL-8, CYP4F3, and VEGF, while clusters L and M were related to lipophagy and apoptosis in radicular cyst, and cluster P in periapical granuloma, which contains L-(+)-lactic acid and ethylene glycol, was related to granuloma formation. Oleic acid, 17-octadecynoic acid, 1-nonadecene, and L-(+)-lactic acid were significantly the highest unique metabolites in healthy pulp tissue, periapical abscess, radicular cyst, and periapical granuloma, respectively. The correlated enriched metabolic pathways were identified, and the related active genes were predicted. Glutamatergic synapse (16–20),-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids, lipophagy, and retinoid X receptor coupled with vitamin D receptor were the most significantly enriched pathways in healthy control, abscess, cyst, and granuloma, respectively. Compared with the healthy control, significant upregulation in the gene expression of CYP4F3, VEGF, IL-8, TLR2 (P < 0.0001), and MMP-9 (P < 0.001) was found in the abscesses. While IL-12A was significantly upregulated in cysts (P < 0.01), IL-17A represents the highest significantly upregulated gene in granulomas (P < 0.0001). From the predicted active genes, CIBERSORT suggested the presence of natural killer cells, dendritic cells, pro-inflammatory M1 macrophages, and anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages in different proportions. In addition, the single nucleotide polymorphisms related to IL-10, IL-12A, and IL-17D genes were shown to be associated with periapical lesions and other oral lesions. Collectively, the unique metabolism and related immune response shape up an environment that initiates and maintains the existence and progression of these oral lesions, suggesting an important role in diagnosis and effective targeted therapy.

The Aetiopathogenesis of Late Inflammatory Reactions (LIRs) After Soft Tissue Filler Use: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Background

Late inflammatory reactions (LIRs) are the most challenging complications after filler use. The immune system plays a prominent role in its etiology, albeit to an unknown extent. Bacterial contamination in situ has been hypothesized to be causative for LIRs. How this relates to the immunological processes involved is unknown. This article aims to provide an overview of immunological and bacterial factors involved in development of LIRs.

Methods

We undertook a systematic literature review focused on immunological factors and microbiota in relation to LIRs after filler use. This systematic review was performed in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane databases were searched from inception up to August 2019. Included studies were assessed for the following variables: subject characteristics, number of patients, primary indication for filler injection, implant type/amount and injection site, type of complication, follow-up or injection duration, study methods, type of antibiotics or medical therapies and outcomes related to microbiota and immunological factors.

Results

Data on immunological factors and bacterial contamination were retrieved from 21 included studies. Notably, the presence of histocytes, giant cells and Staphylococcus epidermidis within biopsies were often associated with LIRs.

Conclusion

This review provides a clear overview of the immunological factors associated with LIRs and provides a hypothetical immunological model for development of the disease. Furthermore, an overview of bacterial contamination and associations with LIRs has been provided. Follow-up research may result in clinical recommendations to prevent LIRs.

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..

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00266-021-02306-3.

The Immunogenicity of Hyaluronic Fillers and Its Consequences

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a glycosaminoglycan, a natural component of the extracellular matrix. The identical structure of the molecule in all living organisms is its main advantage, as it translates into the minimal probability of immunogenicity. Therefore, it is the closest to the ideal preparation used as a filler, due to its biocompatibility and stability at the site of implantation. This paper includes the discussion of the potential mechanisms of adverse immune reactions to HA along with the mechanisms of reaction following vaccinations against SARS-CoV-2. Based on the literature, we tried to systematize adverse immune reactions with systemic manifestations to HA. The occurrence of unpredictable reactions to hyaluronic acid indicates that they may not be treated as neutral or non-allergenic. The modifications of the chemical structure of HA, additives and individual tendencies in a patient may be the cause of unpredictable reactions, leading to serious health consequences. Preparations of unknown origin, poorly purified, or including bacterial DNA are particularly dangerous. Therefore, long-lasting follow-up of the patient and the selection of a preparation approved by the FDA or EMA are of high importance. Patients are often unaware of the consequences of cheaper procedures performed by persons without suitable knowledge with the use of unregistered products, so the public should be educated and legal regulations should be introduced.

Hyaluronic acid soft tissue filler delayed inflammatory reaction following COVID-19 vaccination - A case report

Background

The use of hyaluronic acid soft tissue fillers in aesthetic medicine exploded in recent years for many reasons, including being relatively safe. Incidence of delayed inflammatory reactions (DIRs) to hyaluronic acid soft tissue fillers range between 0.3% and 4.25%. These reactions are mediated by T‐lymphocytes and can be triggered by flu‐like illnesses, including SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. Vaccination may also induce hypersensitivity.

Aim

In this case report, we present two cases of delayed reaction after hyaluronic acid soft tissue filler treatment of the tear trough area and following mRNA vaccination against SARS‐Cov‐2, also known as COVID‐19, months later.

Patients

A 39‐year old female who previously had her tear trough area treated with hyaluronic acid soft tissue filler developed swelling days after getting the mRNA Pfizer‐BioNTech COVID‐19 vaccine. Another patient, a 61‐year‐olf female, developed intermittent facial swelling in areas previously treated with hyaluronic acid soft tissue fillers days after receiving her first dose of the mRNA Pfizer‐BioNTech COVID‐19 vaccine.

Results

As demonstrated in our case report, vaccination against COVID‐19 may induce DIRs in patients who previously had hyaluronic soft tissue fillers.

Conclusion

Delayed inflammatory reactions to hyaluronic acid soft tissue fillers are uncommon and usually self‐limited, with frequent spontaneous resolution. However, considering the ongoing pandemic and the worldwide demand for vaccines against COVID‐19, the aesthetic providers should be conscious of the risks posed by the interaction of such vaccines in patients who previously had or seeking hyaluronic acid soft tissue filler injections.

Immediate nor Delayed Type Hypersensitivity Plays a Role in Late Inflammatory Reactions After Hyaluronic Acid Filler Injections

Purpose

The exact etiology of late inflammatory reactions (LIRs) to hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers is currently unknown. Some argue that these result from a hypersensitivity reaction, although evidence to support this is very scarce. Most reports on such reactions are not substantiated by positive skin tests. The purpose of our study was to determine whether immediate or delayed type hypersensitivity reaction follows hyaluronic acid (HA) filler injections.

Patients and Methods

Twelve patients were referred for general allergic screening (patch tests), as well as specific intradermal testing (injection of 0.1cc boluses) on the medial upper arm with a selection of several currently available hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers on the market. A positive allergic reaction was defined as erythema, firmness or swelling.

Results

During the 4 month follow-up, no reactions to any of the tested HA fillers were reported. No correlation was found between results from the general allergic screening and a history with LIRs to HA fillers.

Conclusion

The results suggest that neither type I nor type IV hypersensitivity plays a role in late inflammatory reactions (LIRs) to hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers.

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Capsular Contracture in Breast Implant Surgery: Where Are We Now and Where Are We Going?

Capsular contracture is the leading complication after surgery with breast implants. A lot of progress has been made investigating this complication over the years, and knowledge has been gained on this complication. Currently, the exact cause for capsular contracture is still unclear. It has been hypothesized that immunobiological factors (i.e., immunological and bacterial factors) and several risk factors play a central role in its development. In this paper, we give an overview of the known immunological factors that have been investigated in contracted and non-contracted capsules, as well as the role of bacterial formation around breast implants. We also report on risk factors that might increase the risk of capsular development. Lastly, it provides the latest research on this matter and discusses future perspectives as follow-up research is needed to unravel the pathogenic process leading to capsular contracture. This knowledge is of interest to establish medical therapies in order to prevent such side effects. Overall, capsular contracture seems to be a multifactorial condition consisting of several risk factors. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE V: 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 .

Materials Selection for the Injection into Vaginal Wall for Treatment of Vaginal Atrophy

Vaginal atrophy caused by the aging process and perineal trauma has a negative impact on women. A new vaginal atrophy treatment is injection of materials into the vaginal wall, including platelet-rich plasma (PRP), autogenous fat graft (AFG), hyaluronic acid (HA), botulinum toxin (BTX), and collagen, but to date their efficacy has not been reviewed. Vaginal wall injection is available only for mild cases of vaginal atrophy or as an adjunct to vaginal surgery. PRP is used mainly to restore vaginal function, and multiple injections are needed to achieve good results in vaginal atrophy. HA, AFG, and collagen are used mainly to augment the vaginal wall. BTX injection can inhibit vaginal muscle spasm and reduce pain during sexual intercourse in patients with vaginismus. Injection of most of these materials into vaginal wall is effective and relatively safe. Vascular embolisms are the most serious complication of vaginal injection and should be prevented. In addition, there has been no randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial or discussion of methods to avoid serious complications resulting from vaginal injection. Therefore, further studies of the injection of materials into the vaginal wall to treat vaginal atrophy are required, and the procedures should be standardized to benefit more patients.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 .

Complications and Adverse Effects of Periocular Aesthetic Treatments

The popularity and variety of temporary and permanent periocular aesthetic treatments has increased over the past decade. Patients frequently present to eye clinics with ocular complications and side effects following these treatments, their severity ranging from ocular irritation from dry eyes to visual loss from vascular occlusion. A careful, thorough history is essential, as many patients may not associate aesthetic procedures with ocular complications, and some may be embarrassed to disclose this information. All ophthalmologists should understand the potential ocular sequelae of these treatments and be able to initiate treatment in sight-threatening cases. Wesummarises the current literature on ophthalmic complications of the most common periocular aesthetic treatments.

Granulomas in Dermatopathology: Principal Diagnoses - Part 1

This series of 2 articles on dermatopathologic diagnoses reviews conditions in which granulomas form. Part 1 clarifies concepts, discusses the presentation of different types of granulomas and giant cells, and considers a large variety of noninfectious diseases. Some granulomatous diseases have a metabolic origin, as in necrobiosis lipoidica. Others, such as granulomatous mycosis fungoides, are related to lymphomas. Still others, such as rosacea, are so common that dermatologists see them nearly daily in clinical practice.

Hypersensitivity reaction to Hyaluronic Acid Dermal filler following novel Coronavirus infection - a case report

The incidence of hypersensitivity reactions to hyaluronic acid dermal fillers is between 0.3 and 4.25%, mediated by T-lymphocytes. Flu-like illness can trigger immunogenic reactions at the site of filler placement. Cases of SARS-CoV-2 are significant and pose a possible risk of inducing hypersensitivity. This case report is of a delayed-type hypersensitivity after hyaluronic acid dermal filler treatment of the nose and subsequent infection with SARS-CoV-2. Risk factors for the development of such symptoms were identified as the presence of hyaluronic acid combined with flu-like illness and repeated treatment of one area. The case resolved without intervention. Clinicians should be mindful of the risk posed by the interaction of hyaluronic acid dermal filler with SARS-CoV-2 in light of the pandemic.

Hepatocellular carcinoma with regional lymphadenopathy caused by sarcoid-like reaction: a case report

BACKGROUND

Sarcoid-like reaction (SLR) is a histological pattern of granulomatous inflammation that is clinically differentiated from sarcoidosis. Since SLR is known to occur in several neoplasias and occasionally causes lymphadenopathy and mimics metastatic malignancy, it needs to be considered whether lymphadenopathy is due to metastasis or SLR for the choice of cancer treatment. Few cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with SLR have been reported. Here, a case of HCC with lymphadenopathy diagnosed as SLR without metastasis is presented.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 69-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of upper abdominal pain. She tested positive for hepatitis C virus ribonucleic acid. Imaging modalities showed an 81 × 65-mm-sized tumor with multiple nodules in segment 3 and a 17 × 12-mm-sized tumor in segment 5 with a common HCC enhancement pattern. In addition, a lymph node in the hepatoduodenal ligament was enlarged at 13 mm in size, suggesting the metastasis of HCC. Hepatectomy of the lateral segment and segment 5 and lymph node dissection in the hepatoduodenal ligament were performed. Both tumors in segments 3 and 5 were pathologically diagnosed as HCC without vessel invasion. The tumors contained necrotic cells and epithelioid cell granulomas with multinucleated giant cells, which is typically observed in sarcoidosis. The dissected lymph nodes also contained epithelioid cell granulomas, as well as giant cells with asteroid bodies. There was no malignancy in the lymph nodes. The pathological findings suggested the coexistence of malignancy and sarcoidosis. However, since the patient did not show any typical findings of pulmonary or cardiac sarcoidosis, the case was diagnosed as HCC with SLR in the primary lesion and regional lymph nodes.

CONCLUSIONS

SLR needs to be considered in the differential diagnosis when a cancer patient develops lymphadenopathy. However, lymphadenopathy due to SLR is indistinguishable from that due to metastasis even when using multiple imaging modalities. Pathological examinations may be helpful for the diagnosis.

"COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2 virus spike protein-related delayed inflammatory reaction to hyaluronic acid dermal fillers: a challenging clinical conundrum in diagnosis and treatment"

We present the first reported cases of delayed inflammatory reactions (DIR) to hyaluronic acid (HA) dermal fillers after exposure to the COVID-19 spike protein. DIR to HA is reported to occur in the different scenarios including: secondary to poor injection technique, following dental cleaning procedures, following bacterial/viral illness, and after vaccination. In this report of 4 cases with distinct clinical histories and presentations: one case occured following a community acquired COVID-19 infection, one case occured in a study subject in the mRNA-1273 clinical phase III trial, one case occurred following the first dose of publically available mRNA-1273 vaccine (Moderna, Cambridge MA), and the last case occurred after the second dose of BNT162b2 vaccine (Pfizer, New York, NY). Injectable HA dermal fillers are prevalent in aesthetic medicine for facial rejuvenation. Structural modifications in the crosslinking of HA fillers have enhanced the products’ resistance to enzymatic breakdown and thus increased injected product longevity, however, have also led to a rise in DIR. Previous, DIR to HA dermal fillers can present clinically as edema with symptomatic and inflammatory erythematous papules and nodules. The mechanism of action for the delayed reaction to HA fillers is unknown and is likely to be multifactorial in nature. A potential mechanism of DIR to HA fillers in COVID-19 related cases is binding and blockade of angiotensin 2 converting enzyme receptors (ACE2), which are targeted by the SARS-CoV-2 virus spike protein to gain entry into the cell. Spike protein interaction with dermal ACE2 receptors favors a pro-inflammatory, loco-regional TH1 cascade, promoting a CD8+T cell mediated reaction to incipient granulomas, which previously formed around residual HA particles. Management to suppress the inflammatory response in the native COVID-19 case required high-dose corticosteroids (CS) to suppress inflammatory pathways, with concurrent ACE2 upregulation, along with high-dose intralesional hyaluronidase to dissolve the inciting HA filler. With regards to the two vaccine related cases; in the mRNA-1273 case, a low dose angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACE-I) was utilized for treatment, to reduce pro-inflammatory Angiotensin II. Whereas, in the BNT162b2 case the filler reaction was suppressed with oral corticosteroids. Regarding final disposition of the cases; the vaccine-related cases returned to baseline appearance within 3 days, whereas the native COVID-19 case continued to have migratory, evanescent, periorbital edema for weeks which ultimately subsided.

Hypersensitivity Caused by Cosmetic Injection: Systematic Review and Case Report

OBJECTIVE

Botulinum toxin injection, micro-needling injection, and filler injection are the most widely used non-surgical facial cosmetic treatments. Hypersensitivity reactions associated with injections have not received sufficient attention due to their low incidence rates. The authors tried to summarize the characteristics of the hypersensitivity caused by cosmetic injections and helped to improve the diagnosis and treatment.

METHODS

A comprehensive search of the PubMed database to September 2019 was performed. Articles were screened using predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data collected included patient characteristics, injection information (injected material, trade name, location of injection, symptoms of allergy, time of onset), diagnostic examination, treatment, and prognosis.

RESULTS

A total of 14 articles (57 patients) were included. There were 3 patients receiving botulinum toxin injection, 3 patients receiving micro-needling injection, and 46 patients receiving hyaluronic acid injection. Five patients were injected with collagen, polyacrylamide, paraffin, alkyl-imide or hyaluronidase, separately. The symptoms were redness, swelling, itching or induration at the injection site. The diagnosis and treatment methods vary greatly depending on the injection fillers. Removing the injected filler is the primary treatment.

CONCLUSION

Although hypersensitivity reaction is a relatively uncommon adverse event, more practice guidelines and research on diagnosis and treatment are demanded to help improve the outcomes.

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 .

ASIA syndrome symptoms induced by gluteal biopolymer injections: Case-series and narrative review

Background

The number of plastic surgery procedures have been rising in the last few years. The morbi-mortality due to illegal use of biopolymers is a public health problem. One of the clinical consequences, foreign body modelling reaction, may be a precursor of ASIA (Autoimmune/Inflammatory disease induced by adjuvants) syndrome.The objective of this article is to present a case-series study of patients who developed ASIA syndrome following gluteal injection with biopolymers and emphasize the importance of toxic exposure in triggering autoimmune responses. A surgical technique used on some of the patients in the study is described.

Methods

A group of thirteen patients, diagnosed with foreign body modelling reaction, who developed ASIA syndrome confirmed by approved criteria was followed between May 2016 and May 2018. The "Butterfly Wings Technique," a new surgical procedure for patients who have medium to severe compromise, was used on five of them.A narrative literature review was done to look for subjects with ASIA syndrome and gluteal biopolymer infiltration.

Results

All the patients in the present case-series with foreign body modelling reaction developed ASIA syndrome. Some of them had a background of familial autoimmunity. Five of the patients were surgically treated and saw a clinical improvement after the extraction of the biopolymer with the proposed technique.The narrative literature review identified 7 articles related to the disease through the database search.

Conclusions

We suggest that foreign body modelling reaction should be considered a precursor to ASIA syndrome. New research projects will be needed in the future to evaluate the factors that determine when ASIA syndrome is triggered in a patient with this reaction.

Histopathologic reaction patterns to differentially cross-linked hyaluronic acid fillers: A retrospective case series

BACKGROUND

Hyaluronic acid filler reactions have been increasingly observed in recent years. Our study investigates whether the increased number of filler reactions observed since 2014 is associated with a specific histopathologic inflammatory pattern and type of filler.

METHODS

The institution's dermatopathology electronic database was retrospectively searched for histopathologic reactions to hyaluronic acid from January 2014 to December 2019. The age, sex, type of filler, procedure, location, and histopathologic patterns were recorded.

RESULTS

From 2014 to 2019, there were 15 cases of granulomatous reactions to hyaluronic acid filler. In 10 of these cases, there was a characteristic inflammatory pattern characterized by tightly cuffed palisades of histiocytes with varying numbers of eosinophils. Of the 11 cases in which the type of filler was known, all used Vycross technology, a novel manufacturing process in the production of hyaluronic acid filler.

CONCLUSION

A characteristic histopathologic pattern of discrete foci of tightly cuffed palisaded granulomas with eosinophils is associated with fillers manufactured using Vycross technology.

Comparison of polycaprolactone and calcium hydroxylapatite dermal fillers in a rat model

Polycaprolactone (PCL) and calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) are semipermanent dermal fillers that are frequently preferred in the last decade. This study aims to compare the effects of these two fillers in the rat skin. A total of 30 female rats were divided into; control, PCL, and CaHA group. Tissue samples taken at the second and fourth month were stained with hematoxylin-eosin, Masson trichrome, collagen type 1, and 3 immunohistochemical antibodies. Collagen density was quantitatively compared using the Image J computer program. At 2 and 4 months, the density of collagen increased in both filler groups compared to the control group. There was no significant difference between collagen density or type 1 and type 3 collagen H scores in the filler groups. The number of fibroblast nuclei was significantly higher in the PCL group at 4 months compared to the other two groups. Dermis thickness was found to be superior in both filler groups compared to the control group at the fourth month, there was no significant difference between the filler groups. We compared the effect of CaHA and PCL filler on collagenization histologically and immunohistochemically. We found that PCL and CaHA fillers are effective in increasing dermal collagen density, type 1 and type 3 collagen amount, and preventing dermis atrophy and showed that they have no advantage over each other in this respect. We have shown that PCL filler provides more fibroblast increase compared to CaHA filler and the effect of stimulating fibroblast proliferation takes longer.

Increased risk of late-onset, immune-mediated, adverse reactions related to dermal fillers in patients bearing HLA-B*08 and DRB1*03 haplotypes

Even though manufacturers claim that the dermal fillers are nontoxic and nonimmunogenic, adverse events may occur. Clinically and histologically, most of the late onset adverse events present as an inflammatory response. To assess whether HLA polymorphisms are associated with late-onset inflammatory adverse events related to dermal fillers. A total of 211 patients were included, of whom 129 experienced late-onset inflammatory adverse events to different fillers (Inflammation group) and 82 who did not (Reference group). Patients completed a standardized questionnaire and provided a blood sample or oral swap for HLA testing. The study population consisted of 188 (89%) women and 23 (11%) men. The two study groups were similar in the distributions of filler type, location of injecting, allergy, autoimmune disease, gender, age, ethnicity, and smoking status. Of the 211 patients in the sample, 25 had the combination of HLA subtype-B*08 and HLA subtype-DRB1*03. This was 16.3% of the inflammatory group and 4.9% of the reference group. This combination of HLA subtypes was associated with an almost 4-fold increase in the odds of developing immune mediated adverse events (odds ratio = 3.79, 95% CI 1.25-11.48). Genetic polymorphisms such as HLA combinations may identify patients at risk of developing late onset immune mediated adverse events to dermal fillers.

The Correction of Facial Morphea Lesions by Hyaluronic Acid: A Case Series and Literature Review

INTRODUCTION

The aim of the study is to assess the long-term safety and efficacy of hyaluronic acid (HA) administration in correction of facial morphea lesions and to review the literature on the subject. Morphea is a chronic inflammatory disease of the connective tissue which may lead to serious deformations. The lesions located on the face particularly affect patients' quality of life and self-esteem; thus, there is a demand for safe and effective methods of treatment.

CASE PRESENTATION

The paper presents three female patients aged 16, 17 and 70 with facial morphea lesions who had HA preparation Juvéderm® Voluma or Volux, Vycross® technology, Allergan, injected. One of the patients had additionally fractional ablative CO2 laser (FAL) therapy.

DISCUSSION

The literature provides reports on successful use of HA, polymethylmethacrylate and poly-L-lactic acid for the correction of facial defects in localized scleroderma. HA is a natural component of the extracellular matrix and it therefore minimizes the probability of immunogenicity. The application technique also plays an important role. On the other hand, FAL therapy leads to the degradation of the abnormal collagen and the induction of normal collagen synthesis.

CONCLUSIONS

HA injection and combination of HA application with FAL are minimally invasive, effective and safe therapeutic options for patients suffering from morphea.

Complications after cosmetic periocular filler: prevention and management

Soft tissue fillers are a mainstay in contemporary, minimally invasive facial rejuvenation procedures owing to timely results and minimal recovery period. Although associated with a low complication rate, soft tissue fillers are not without risk. Complications range from mild superficial skin irregularities to granuloma formation to vascular occlusion leading to skin necrosis or even blindness. Fillers vary in composition, elasticity, hydrophilicity and duration of effect that is tailored to specific cosmetic indications. Selecting the right product for the desired effect can cut down on unwanted outcomes. Severe adverse events can be avoided with safe injection technique, early recognition of symptoms and a thorough knowledge of the local anatomy. This review outlines several complications all providers should recognize and discusses strategies for their prevention and management.