Nomenclature proposal for the sonographic description and reporting of soft tissue fillers

Abstract

Background: There is a steady increase in publications about the use of ultrasound and filler treatments, written by physicians from different specialties. The terminology used to describe the ultrasound images of fillers is not uniform, making the different articles difficult to compare. Standardization of the descriptions based on their basic sonographic parameters is recommendable. Aims:The purpose of this study is to propose a nomenclature for the sonographic description and reporting of cosmetic fillers.Methods: An assessment of articles indexed for MEDLINE/PubMed and Embed electronic database was conducted; in total of 39 articles could be included.Results: All articles were investigated for their sonographic descriptions of soft tissue fillers. Ten parameters used for describing and monitoring soft tissue fillers were distinguished. Conclusion:The proposed sonographic descriptions for cosmetic fillers may contribute to a better standardization and understanding fillers ultrasound images in the reports or literature.

Ultrasound patterns of different dermal filler materials used in aesthetics

“…The fact that aesthetic filler injections are recognizable on ultrasound and generate different patterns of echogenicity and posterior acoustic artifacts is not new. [4][5][6][7] However, identification of such fillers was related more with appearance of adverse events 3,[12][13][14][15] than with the possibility of performing a patient-tailored new therapy.…”

“…It was recently published a paper that proposed a standard nomenclature for the different ultrasound patterns generated by the different dermal fillers. 7 Description of dermal fillers was based on different ultrasound parameters, which included echogenicity, texture, border, shape, diameter, quantity, internal characteristics, and artifacts. 7 Despite the contribution made by Schelke et al was extremely important, they were much focused on describing the different ultrasound identity characteristics of the fillers (to describe "welldefined" ultrasound patterns), while we were more focused on attempting to identify different ultrasound patterns and to stablish a relationship between them and the filler injected.…”

“…7 Description of dermal fillers was based on different ultrasound parameters, which included echogenicity, texture, border, shape, diameter, quantity, internal characteristics, and artifacts. 7 Despite the contribution made by Schelke et al was extremely important, they were much focused on describing the different ultrasound identity characteristics of the fillers (to describe "welldefined" ultrasound patterns), while we were more focused on attempting to identify different ultrasound patterns and to stablish a relationship between them and the filler injected. Thus, for example, Shelke et al described the ultrasound pattern of the HA filler as: "Welldefined oval-or round-shaped anechoic homogeneous deposits without any signs of internal echoes".…”

“…Fillers are recognizable on ultrasound and generate different patterns of echogenicity and posterior acoustic artifacts. [4][5][6][7] Due to the increasing number of dermal filler procedures performed worldwide, 1,8 more and more aesthetic specialists are receiving previously treated patients, without these patients providing neither exact details of the procedure nor the agent used.…”

The use of high-frequency ultrasonography for the diagnosis of palpable nodules after the administration of dermal fillers

“…Since water does not reflect ultrasounds, their image is typical and has been described by various authors. According to the proposed ultrasound nomenclature for dermal filler studies, HA depositions are visible on ultrasound images as well-delineated, round or oval, anechoic lesions without internal echoes (9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15) . The results obtained by the authors of this study support the observations of other authors.…”