Cohesive Polydensified Matrix^® cross-linked hyaluronic acid volumizing gel: a magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography study

Abstract

Background

Concentrated hyaluronic acid (HA) gels with a high degree of cross-linking such as Cohesive Polydensified Matrix^® (CPM) HA have been designed for long-term facial volume restoration.

Objective

To determine the behavior and longevity of CPM HA gel, a case series of subjects underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scans several years after their initial treatment.

Methods

Six subjects, three from the initial CPM HA Conformité Européenne registration study and three from private practice who had received prior injection of CPM HA for facial volumizing indications agreed to undergo an MRI or CT scan at intervals ranging from 1 to 4 years after the initial treatment. The amount of HA gel originally injected was compared with the amount estimated from volumetric analysis of the MRI and CT scans. The scans were also examined for the signs of any abscess or granuloma formation and to determine the behavior of the HA gel over time.

Results

CT and MRI imaging of the six study subjects indicated CPM HA gel persisted for 2–4 years after only a single treatment. In some patients, product was evident in deeper facial fat compartments than originally injected suggesting some diffusion of product had occurred. There was no MRI or CT evidence of abscess or granuloma formation.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that CPM HA volumizing gel has substantial longevity when injected subcutaneously or in deep soft tissues.

Keywords:

• MRI
• CT scan
• CPM HA volumizing gel
• long-lasting results

Acknowledgments

This study was sponsored by Merz Pharmaceuticals GmbH, Frankfurt-am-Main, Germany. The authors would like to acknowledge MedImage, RX Institute, Geneva, Switzerland, for their valuable collaboration, Aurélie Brissaud, a radiologist technician at MedImage for her help and collaboration, Samuel Gavard, for his help and explanations, and the study subjects for their participation in this explorative study.

Disclosure

Dr PM is a consultant or trainer for Allergan, Galderma Switzerland, Merz Aesthetics, and Teoxane. Dr JV is a consultant or trainer for Merz Aesthetics and Advanced Aesthetic Technologies. The other author reports no conflicts of interest in this work.