Open AccessIn vivo visualization of hyaluronic acid injection by high spatial resolution T 2 parametric magnetic resonance images
Author(s) -
Gensanne D.,
Josse G.,
Schmitt A. M.,
Lagarde J. M.,
Vincensini D.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
skin research and technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.521
H-Index - 69
eISSN - 1600-0846
pISSN - 0909-752X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0846.2007.00241.x
Subject(s) - magnetic resonance imaging , hyaluronic acid , biomedical engineering , in vivo , materials science , image resolution , nuclear magnetic resonance , chemistry , nuclear medicine , medicine , anatomy , radiology , computer science , biology , artificial intelligence , physics , microbiology and biotechnology
Background/purpose: In recent years, increasing use of injectable resorbable fillings has been reported for facial wrinkle treatment. However, the physiological processes involved such as the localization and subsequent diffusion of the injected product in skin tissues are poorly documented. This may be noninvasively achieved using quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which is duly presented in this pilot study. Methods: Hyaluronic acid (HA) was injected intradermally in the forearm of a young male volunteer. High‐resolution MRI scans using a surface antenna were performed just after injection, and after 2, 4 and 9 months. Morphological images were compared with transverse relaxation time ( T 2 ) images computed from a pixel‐by‐pixel analysis. Results: On high‐resolution morphological MR images the HA injection is barely visible, but with quantitative MRI the zone of injection is clearly seen. This is due to HA having a distinctly different transverse relaxation time, T 2 ∼600 ms, compared with dermal and hypodermal tissues, 35 and 80 ms, respectively. Conclusion: These preliminary results demonstrate the ability of the T 2 images for in vivo visualization of the filler agent and also for characterization of tissue modifications. In addition, the diffusion and progressive degradation of the filler agent can be monitored by T 2 measurements over time.