Usefulness of High-Resolution Ultrasonography after Foreign Body Injection on Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the usefulness of the high resolutional ultrasonographic features in patients with foreign body. Methods: From September 2007 to August 2009, we retrospectively reviewed high resolutional ultrasonogram using 5~12 MHz linear transducer of 13 patients presenting with inflammation after foreign body injection. They were referred for complications after foreign body injection. Injected foreign bodies were 4 silicone, 4 paraffin, 2 artecoll, and 3 unknown. We treated them with foreign body removal (7), foreign body removal and corrective plastic surgery (4), and conservative treatment with antibiotics and steroid injection (2). Results: High resolutional ultrasonography well demonstrated the existence of foreign body and it's overall size, location within the tissue layer, and vascularity. Comparison between preoperative and postoperative ultrasonographic findings was useful not only to evaluate the prognosis but also to plan the treatment. These ultrasonographic findings aided in precise assessment of the contour and location of the foreign body and led to an accurate surgery. We were able to acquire various information in order to set a detailed plan for the operation which in turn, led to a precise, successful surgery. After the treatment, complication did not occur in 12 patients, except 1 patient. But this patient was also treated after reoperation. Postoperative high resolutional ultrasonography shows almost foreign body removed and inflammation disappeared. Conclusion: Considering the usefulness of highresolution ultrasonography in foreign body injection, highresolution ultrasonography would be necessary for both the patient and the doctor. Preoperative and postoperative high resolutional ultrasonography is highly accurate, safe, inexpensive and easy. It can be a useful modality in foreign body after plastic surgery.