Study examines role of high-frequency ultrasound in distinguishing granulomas from nodular deposits
Published
17th Feb 2018
A study published in Skin Research and Technology has analysed the usefulness of high-frequency ultrasound in distinguishing between granulomas and nodular dermal filler deposits.
Late complications of dermal fillers, manifesting as nodules or granulomas, pose a particular diagnostic and therapeutic challenge, due to the lack of uniform standards or guidelines.
11 women aged 21-66 who had soft tissue fillers injected were enrolled in the study. All patients had a high-frequency ultrasound scan. The shape, margins, area, location and echogenicity of the lesions were assessed.
Additionally, the lesions were evaluated histologically and photographs were taken. The analysis indicated differences between the ultrasound image of granulomas and dermal filler deposits. Characteristic ultrasound features of granulomas include oval shape and blurred, irregular outer edges. Small hyperechoic areas were seen inside the granulomas. The deposits were anechogenic, with sharp, regular borders.
The authors concluded that high-frequency ultrasound imaging enables practitioners to distinguish between granulomas and nodules, which form after dermal filler injections.
