Foreign Body Granulomas after the Use of Dermal Fillers: Pathophysiology, Clinical Appearance, Histologic Features, and Treatment

• Published in: Archives of plastic surgery Vol. 42; no. 2; pp. 232 - 239
• Main Authors: Lee, Jeong Min, Kim, Yu Jin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 333 Seventh Avenue, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10001, USA Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc 01.03.2015; The Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons; 대한성형외과학회
• Subjects: collagen; Continuing Medical Education; granuloma, foreign-body; hyaluronic acid; silicone gels; 성형외과학; Silicone gels; Hyaluronic acid; Collagen; Granuloma, foreign-body
• ISSN: 2234-6163; 2234-6171
• DOI: 10.5999/aps.2015.42.2.232

A foreign body granuloma is a non-allergic chronic inflammatory reaction that is mainly composed of multinucleated giant cells. Foreign body granulomas may occur after the administration of any dermal filler. Factors such as the volume of the injection, impurities present in the fillers, and the physical properties of fillers affect granuloma formation. The formation of granulomas involves five phases: protein adsorption, macrophage adhesion, macrophage fusion, and crosstalk. The clinical and pathologic features of granulomas vary depending on the type of filler that causes them. Foreign body granulomas can be treated effectively with intralesional corticosteroid injections. Surgical excisions of granulomas tend to be incomplete because granulomas have ill-defined borders and moreover, surgical excisions may leave scars and deformities.