title: HIV-associated facial lipoatrophy treated with injectable silicone oil: a pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Facial lipoatrophy (FLA) is associated with HIV infection and is part of the lipodystrophy syndrome. Temporary filler treatments do not meet the need of the patient, as there is a lack of permanence, and excessive cost.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We sought to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a highly purified medical-grade 1000-cst liquid injectable silicone in the treatment of HIV-associated FLA using the serial microdroplet injection technique.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty patients with HIV-associated lipoatrophy were treated with liquid injectable silicone with a maximum of 6 treatment sessions (2.0 mL each session maximum). Patients were evaluated at 9-, 12-, and 18-month follow-up sessions. Safety, efficacy, injection volumes, and patient satisfaction were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No persistent adverse effects were reported throughout the study. Most of the patients achieved complete correction of their HIV-associated FLA after 6 treatments and maintained this correction to the 18-month follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is a noncomparative, nonblinded study. Study patient population size is small.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Given our small sample size of 20 patients, our results suggest that, if administered correctly, liquid injectable silicone is potentially a safe, effective, and natural-feeling treatment option for HIV-associated FLA. Larger studies may be needed to confirm safety, efficacy, and permanence.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Fionn
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Alastair
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Carruthers
authors.forename: Shannon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Humphrey
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Carruthers
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000473:pathology*; D000328:Adult; D001284:Atrophy / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology; D005145:Face; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012827:Silicone Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D012827:Silicone Oils
keywords: AE; CLSS; Carruthers Lipoatrophy Severity Scale; FLA; HIV-associated lipoatrophy; LIS; QOL; adverse event; facial lipoatrophy; liquid injectable silicone; permanent soft tissue filler; quality of life; silicone oil