Severe granulomatous allergic tissue reaction after hyaluronic acid injection in the treatment of facial lines and its surgical correction

Abstract

Hyaluronic acid is considered to be nonimmunogenic. Frequently, it is used for the correction of facial lines. It is believed that hyaluronic acid injection fillers are safe and have no occurrence of serious adverse reactions or allergic reactions. Nevertheless, recent publications have documented the rate of intermittent swelling and severe granulomatous allergic reactions that evolved into abscesses. A clinical case of a 54-year-old patient is presented. After injection of hyaluronic acid in the treatment of nasolabial folds elsewhere, she developed palpable painful erythematous nodules evolving into abscesses several month after injection. Surgical treatment and correction of these lesions after hyaluronic acid injection of the nasolabial folds and the histological findings of these erythematous nodules are described. Histological and clinical examination documented intermittent swelling and severe granulomatous allergic reactions that may render the use of hyaluronic acid unacceptable. Patients should be informed of the potential complications when treating facial lines with hyaluronic acid gel.