Abstract

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Of Patients With Complications From Polyacrylamide Hydrophilic Gel Injection For Facial Plasty

Author(s): Wang Xiaoyan, Zhang Yan, Cheng Jing-Liang, Hu Ying, Wang An-Fei, Meng Fang-Fang and Liu Xi

Objective: To investigate the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signal features and MRI appearance of common complications resulting from polyacrylamide hydrogel (PAHG) injection for facial plasty?

Methods: MRI and clinical data of 42 patients treated by PAHG injection for facial plasty were retrospectively analyzed and the MRI features were compared with clinical data. All images were acquired using a SIEMENS Skyra 3.0T MR imaging unit. MR sequences, including FSE-T1WI, FSE-FS-T2WI, STIR and DWI, were acquired with an 8-channel brain coil. MRI slices through the maxillofacial region in the transverse, coronal and sagittal planes were analyzed.

Results: PAHG in the facial region appears as a variety of shapes owing to the anatomical space where it is present. It appears as a low signal intensity on T1-weighted images, high signal intensity on T2-weighted images and fat saturation T2-weighted images (the best contrast is obtained on fat saturation T2-weighted images), and high signal intensity on DWI. Of a total of 42cases, induration was observed in 23 cases, hydrogel migration in 13 cases, secondary deformity in three cases, and infection in three case.

Conclusions: MRI can provide diagnostic information for common postoperative complications of PAHG facial injection. It is an ideal examination method to diagnose postoperative complications of PAHG and to perform postoperative follow-up.