Abstract

Objectives To detect ultrasonographic inflammatory signs in the lacrimal, parotid, and submandibular glands in cosmetic fillers (CFs) users. Methods A prospective and cross-sectional ultrasound study of the glands in cases with CFs was performed. The sample included users of hyaluronic acid, silicone oil, polymethylmethacrylate, polycaprolactone, calcium hydroxyapatite, and polyacrylamide. Abnormalities of the parenchyma and hypervascularity signs of the glands were compared with a control group (n = 10), evaluated by 2 observers, and correlated with the type, number, and location of the facial CFs. Cohen's kappa test and logistic regression models with odds ratios (OR) adjusted by age with 95% CI were performed. Results Sixty-three patients with CFs met the criteria. Parotid and submandibular glands had the highest percentage of parenchymal involvement: 87.3 and 88.9%, respectively (p .01). Abnormalities of the echostructure of the parenchyma and hypervascularity of the glands were detected with all kinds of fillers without significant differences per type. A significant substantial interrater kappa (0.61) with an agreement of 90% for all glands among observers was found. Conclusion Users of common types of CFs frequently present subclinical ultrasonographic signs of inflammation of the lacrimal, parotid, and submandibular glands. Further research on the topic seems necessary.