Background
In aesthetic practice, delayed onset (late) inflammatory reactions (DIRs) to dermal fillers are encountered. The treatment of DIRS can be challenging, with a response to established therapies, including oral antibiotics, intralesional and oral steroids, and hyaluronidase injection, occasionally reported as unsatisfactory.
Objectives
Evaluate the efficacy of low-dose oral methotrexate (MTX) therapy in treating recalcitrant DIRs.
Methods
We retrospectively reviewed cases of recalcitrant DIRs treated with oral MTX. Data collected included individuals’ gender and age, medical history, filler type, facial area(s) injected, previous treatments attempted to dissolve the DIR, MTX treatment dosage and duration, and outcome. Adverse events were monitored throughout the treatment.
Results
Thirteen women with a mean age 52.6 years (range, 31-67 years) that developed recalcitrant DIRs to dermal filler injection are included. Nine reactions were triggered by injection of hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers, 3 by liquid silicone (LIS), and 1 by polymethyl-methacrylate (PMMA). The average starting dosage of MTX was 12.1 mg/week (range, 7.5-12.5 mg/week). Patients were treated for 2-3 months in most cases. The average follow-up post-MTX therapy was 11.8 months (range, 2-36 months). Complete response to MTX treatment was observed in10 patients (6 HA and 4 LIS cases), partial response in 1 (HA case), and unsatisfactory response in 2 (HA and PMMA cases). Treatment was tolerated well.
Conclusions
A short course of low-dose oral MTX is a possible treatment of DIRs that have not responded to established therapies. The promising results of this report require validation by powered studies.