title: Hyaluronic Acid Filler in HIV-Associated Facial Lipoatrophy: Evaluation of Tissue Distribution and Morphology with MRI.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This prospective observational study evaluated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of hyaluronic acid (HA) injections used for the correction of HIV-associated facial lipoatrophy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten consecutive males underwent subdermal HA injection (mean 1.3 ± 0.6 ml per side) and MRI examinations prior to and then 1, 6 and 12 months after injection. Two radiologists blinded to the clinical data assessed morphologic and quantitative changes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MRI revealed HA deposition in the subdermal and deep fat compartments. A significant HA volume increase was observed 1 month after injection (mean increase 331%, p < 0.0001) as compared to the injected amount. No volume reduction occurred at 12 months (p = 0.9961). The measured bound water content did not change (p > 0.9991), whereas skin thickness and tissue vascularization increased during the first 6 months (p = 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data show that the cosmetic results of HA injections are caused by water binding in the deep facial fat and by a transient increase in vascularization and skin thickness.
authors: Department of Radiology, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors: Minerva
authors: M
authors: Becker
authors: Nicolas
authors: N
authors: Balagué
authors: Xavier
authors: X
authors: Montet
authors: Alexandra
authors: A
authors: Calmy
authors: Denis
authors: D
authors: Salomon
authors: Laurence
authors: L
authors: Toutous-Trellu
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology*; D001284:Atrophy / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D003357:Cosmetic Techniques; D000067548:Dermal Fillers / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005145:Face; D039682:HIV-Associated Lipodystrophy Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000067548:Dermal Fillers; D014867:Water; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid