Radiological evaluation of Calcium Hydroxyapatite-based cutaneous fillers

Introduction: Calcium hydroxyapatite is a radiopaque material that was traditionally used to provide radiologic contrast. It has recently been approved for use in cutaneous filling.
Objectives: To define the radiologic characteristics of Calcium hydroxyapatite and its potential to compromise radiologic evaluations.
Methods: Twelve patients received Calcium hydroxyapatite filler in the malar eminence and had radiography of the face (frontal, lateral, mentum-nasal-plaque (Waters), and Hirtz axial incidence technique) 1-8 weeks after the procedure. The X-rays were examined by two radiologists – one of whom was unaware of the filling procedure.
Results: The Hirtz axial incidence technique demonstrated amorphous radiopaque images in the suprazygomatic soft tissues in all cases, in both evaluations. Radiesse® was not detected using the other techniques, and did not illustrate the filler''''''''s position and symmetry. The evaluation of subjacent osseous structures was not compromised by the material''''''''s presence.
Discussion: Calcium hydroxyapatite can be identified in facial radiography when evaluat- ed using a method that avoids overlapping with adjacent osseous structures. Although it does not impair the osseous evaluation, it is recommended that the radiologist or dentist is noti- fied of the material''''''''s presence.
Conclusion: Cutaneous fillings containing Calcium hydroxyapatite can be identified, although not precisely located, using conventional X-ray.

Keywords: FACE, DURAPATITE, X-RAYS