Case report and literature review of tongue artery embolism caused by hyaluronic acid augmentation of chin / 中华整形外科杂志

ABSTRACT

In December 2018, a 29-year-old female patient with lingual artery embolism after hyaluronic acid injection was admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical College. The examination showed swelling tongue, the mucosa on the front and back of the right tongue became white, and the tip of the tongue slightly atrophied. The movement of tongue was disturbed. The patient′s pronunciation was unclear. The right tongue was numb, resulted by the weak circulation. Hyaluronidase was injected into tongue. The vasodilator was used. And hyperbaric oxygen chamber was applied. Thereafter, the blood supply and oxygen concentration of embolized area were increased, and collateral circulation was established. Antibiotic therapy and continuous treatment with neurotrophic drugs (rat nerve growth factor + methylcobalt ammonium) were given to promote the repair of nerve. After treatment, the embolism of lingual artery was significantly improved. Three months later, the patients had mild muscular atrophy on the right side of the tongue, with partial recovery of the right tongue mucosa. Tongue movement, sensory and taste functions recovered. Hyaluronic acid injection needs to be standardized, performed by surgeons who masters the anatomical structures, the injection layer and spot. If the vascular embolism occurs, hyaluronidase should be used as early as possible. It also needs to reduce local tension in both injected and affected area, reduce the pressure of injection on blood vessels, improve local blood circulation, so as to achieve better therapeutic effect.