Cerebral Embolism as a Result of Facial Filler Injections: A Literature Review

Abstract

Abstract Background With the growth in the popularity of facial filler injections, increased numbers of severe adverse events, such as cerebral embolism, have been reported. Objectives The aim of this article was to summarize the clinical manifestations and proposed mechanisms of filler-induced cerebral embolism (FICE). Methods A literature review was performed with the search keywords “filler injection,” “hyaluronic acid,” “fat graft,” “cerebral infarction,” “cerebral embolism,” “stroke,” “cerebrovascular infarction,” “disorders of consciousness,” and “hemiplegia.” Results Among the 43 cases of FICE enrolled from 35 articles, 37 patients were female, and 6 were male. Twenty-nine of these patients had received fat grafting, and 12 hyaluronic acid injection. Most FICE patients had been injected in the glabella, followed by the temporal, forehead, and nasal areas. Among 30 patients injected under local anesthesia, 43.33% presented with neurologic symptoms during the procedure. The main symptoms were consciousness disorders and hemiplegia. Most of the embolization sites were in the middle cerebral artery, followed by frontal lobe infarction and anterior cerebral artery infarction. Three patients developed cerebral hemorrhage after embolism. Twenty-six patients presented with newly acquired vision loss. The management for FICE cases included embolectomy, thrombolysis, decompressive craniectomy, antiplatelet/anticoagulant therapy, and symptomatic and nutritional treatment. Nearly half of the patients recovered or exhibited improved neurologic manifestations but not visual loss. Five patients died. Conclusions FICE is a severe complication following facial filler injection. Careful prevention, timely identification, and treatment are crucial to decreasing the morbidity and mortality of FICE. Level of Evidence: 4