Ultrasound assisted hyaluronic acid vascular adverse event management based on the vascular anatomy

Hyaluronic acid (HA) non-surgical procedures are increasingly popular, with approximately 5.6 million performed annually by plastic surgeons worldwide. These treatments effectively address signs of aging in the forehead and nasofrontal areas but come with risks such as bruising, swelling, infections, inflammation, granulomas, skin necrosis, and vascular obstructions. The nose, forehead, and glabella are particularly high-risk areas for visual changes and embolic complications. The nasofrontal region's vascular network is supplied by branches from both the external and internal carotid arteries. The external carotid artery includes the lateral nasal, columellar, and angular arteries, while the frontal branch of the superficial temporal artery supplies the temporal and lateral frontal areas. The internal carotid system, via the ophthalmic artery, includes the supratrochlear, supraorbital, and dorsal nasal arteries, supplying the central and middle forehead and upper nasal dorsum. These networks form a robust vascular arcade. Patients with vascular complications from facial injections often present with a reticulated skin pattern, hematoma, ecchymosis, tenderness, pain, pressure, and sometimes scabs or pustules. Specific skin patterns are associated with vascular complications in defined facial areas. A structured treatment protocol using targeted ultrasound-guided hyaluronidase injections effectively manages these complications, emphasizing a detailed understanding of vascular anatomy and precise diagnostic tools.