Long-term MRI Follow-up of Hyaluronic Acid Dermal Filler.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Single-patient case report with longitudinal imaging follow-up.
PubMed 35433153 · doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000004252
What was done
The authors followed a single patient who received hyaluronic acid (HA) dermal filler injections in the subcutaneous fat of the lateral face, the deep fat compartments of the mid-face, and a combination of deep and superficial injection planes in the chin. Follow-up magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed to evaluate filler degradation and migration patterns over time.
What was found
MRI follow-up showed nearly complete degradation of HA filler in the chin at 19 months post-injection. In contrast, filler in the lateral face and deep mid-face fat compartments persisted with no signs of migration at both 19 months and 27 months post-injection. The abstract reports no quantitative volume measurements or statistical comparisons.
Why it matters
This report provides objective imaging evidence that the longevity of hyaluronic acid dermal fillers varies substantially by facial anatomical compartment and injection depth, persisting beyond 2 years in mid- and lateral-face compartments.
Limits
The report is limited to a single patient (n = 1), preventing generalization. The abstract provides no quantitative volumetric data, specific HA product brand or crosslinking characteristics, exact injected volumes, or control comparators.
Cited by
- supports MRI studies demonstrate that dermal fillers can persist in facial tissues for multiple years.