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Abstract

Filler injections are a common office procedures in the hands of a cosmetic surgeon. Cases of blindness, mostly irreversible, from aesthetic filler injections have been reported from Asia, Europe, and
North America. Autologous fat appears to be the most frequent filler causing blindness. With the invent of newer generation filler substances with no specific antidote, their usage raises questions on the safety profile even in experienced hands.

We report a case of total ipsilateral blindness and contralateral hemiparesis following dermal injection of hylaluronic acid into the glabellar and nasal regions of face

Key words

hyaluronic acid, endarteries, monoparesis

Introduction

Blindness after injection of filler substances has been reported in many studies [1-4]. There have been reports of Cerebral infarction in some cases [5]. These disastrous effects have been attributed to iatrogenic, inadvertent injection of the substance in the arterial system of the region with consequent thrombosis to the endarteries. This happens when the vessel in punctured, the substance is injected into the lumen and moves retrograde all the way to endarteries like ophthalmic and even cerebral and upon withdrawal of the plunger, the pulsatile forward blood flow lodges it into the system causing acute occlusion [6,7].

Case report

A 22 years old Unmarried Saudi female reported to us with a history of Complete right sided blindness, left monoparesis and skin necrosis following the injection of Hyaluronic acid in the face. The blindness and the monoparesis developed within few hours of the injection in the glabellar region whereas the skin necrosis gradually evolved over a period of days following the injection in the same and other areas of face. The patient reported 5 days after the injection to our multispecialty care hospital and was under the care of Stroke Unit with multispecialty involvements including thrombosis team, interventional radiology to either dissolve or dislodge the embolus. However, except for her monoparesis and skin lesions, progression of vision loss could not be haulted. Over a period of 3 weeks of inhospital stay, the patient showed complete recovery of her monoparesis, resolution of her skin lesions but with no improvement in vision of her right eye which continued to be 0/0with no light perception [8].

Discussion

Blindness following dermafiller injection is a rare but serious complication.

Lazzeri et al [3] in 2012, reported 32 cases of blindness following injection of fillers in the face, in which 15 cases developed complete blindness (FAT), remaining 17 were transitory (Non-FAT group). Again in 2012 Park et al [4], reported a series of 12 patients of Central retinal artery occlusion from Cosmetic filler, 2 cases in addition developed cerebral infarction(FAT). None recovered vision. Ozturk et al [5] in North America reported 61 cases of facial vascular occlusion by fillers other than Fat.12 had immediate blindness.

Based on the world-wide literature, it has been suggested to bear in mind the following golden rules to avoid/minimize the chances of inadvertent intravascular injection of the filler agent and subsequent serious effects [1]. Firstly, aspiration each time before injection which is the most important maneuver. Secondly as regards to the injected material, taking more care in cases of fat injections versus not-fat substances (fat as a filler has highest risk) and the use of vasoconstrictor with each procedure in appropriate doses. The other important domain is the nature of the needles used, it is advisable to use blunt and smaller guage needles to avoid vessel penetration. The volume injected has not to be more than 0.5ccper pass with use of gentle force at each injection. In the end it is advisable to have a specific antidote (if available) to the substance in the office to neutralize /minimize the effects of intra-arterial injection [9-15].

Consent

Appropriate consents were taken from the patient to publish the content

Conflicting results

There were no conflicts of interest.

References

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