An Inflammatory Reaction to Stored Fascia Lata 37 Years Postimplantation

Abstract

We report a rare case of a suspected inflammatory reaction to stored fascia lata 37 years post-placement. Clinical, imaging, histopathological, and immunohistochemical findings are presented, with a literature review on reactions to stored fascia lata. A 39-year-old woman had upper eyelid congenital ptosis repaired successfully at 2 years with bilateral frontalis suspension procedures using stored fascia lata. Thirty-seven years later, the patient presented with swelling of her eyelids and forehead, which was tender to the touch, in the same pattern as the fascia lata slings placed earlier. Histopathological examination disclosed a non-necrotizing granulomatous inflammatory infiltrate with numerous asteroid bodies. Initially, it was responsive to oral prednisone, but with recurrent inflammation, long-term methotrexate was required to control the inflammation. To our knowledge, this type of delayed inflammatory reaction has not been previously reported. It raises a concern about the use of allogeneic donor tissue and accepted sterilization techniques that may not be 100% effective in deactivating all components of the donor graft, including potential infectious pathogens, leading to a subsequent latent reaction.