Understanding Platysma Muscle Contraction Pattern and Its Relationship to Platysmal Banding: A Real-Time Ultrasound Study.

BACKGROUND: Addressing neck contouring with surgical and nonsurgical aesthetic procedures includes understanding the origin of platysmal banding. A theory was postulated to explain this phenomenon by isometric vs isotonic muscular contraction patterns. However, no scientific proof had been provided to date for its correctness. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to confirm the correctness of the platysmal banding theory based on isometric vs isotonic muscular contractions. METHODS: Eighty platysma muscles from 40 volunteers (15 males and 25 females) were investigated (mean age 41.8; SD 15.2 years; mean BMI of 22.2; SD 2.3 kg/m2). Real-time ultrasound imaging was utilized to measure the increase in local muscle thickness inside and outside of a platysmal band as well as platysma mobility. RESULTS: Within a platysmal band, the local thickness of the muscle increases during muscular contractions by 0.33 mm (37.9%; P < .001). Outside of a platysmal band the thickness of the platysma muscle decreased by 0.13 mm (20.3%; P < .001). It was identified that within a platysmal band no gliding was detectable, whereas outside of a band an average muscle gliding of 2.76 mm was observed. CONCLUSIONS: The results confirm the correctness of the isometric vs isotonic platysma muscle contraction pattern theory: isotonic muscle contraction (gliding without increase in tension and therefore in muscle thickness) vs isometric muscle contraction (no gliding but increase in tension and therefore in muscle thickness). These 2 types of contraction patterns occur within the platysma simultaneously and are an indicator for zones of adhesion in the neck to guide surgical and nonsurgical aesthetic procedures.

Identifying Levels of Competency in Aesthetic Medicine: A Questionnaire-based Study.

BACKGROUND: In 2022, the US experienced a significant increase in demand for minimally invasive aesthetic procedures, underscoring its rising acceptance amid an unregulated educational environment for practitioners. The absence of standardized educational pathways and quality control in aesthetic medicine, primarily provided by nonacademic institutions, highlights a critical need for establishing educational standards to ensure practitioner competence and patient safety. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to identify levels of competency for the aesthetic practitioner and necessary achievement milestones during the educational path from novice to expert injector. METHODS: A total of n = 386 international study participants responded to an online questionnaire regarding their experience in aesthetic medicine practice. The questionnaire comprised 58 questions focusing on professional data, the perceived difficulty of injection, and risk for the occurrence of adverse events for specific facial regions in soft tissue filler and toxin injections. RESULTS: Regardless of medical specialty and experience level, averages of 3.85 (1.8) years, 786.4 (2628) filler injections and 549.9 (1543) toxin injections were estimated to progress from novice to advanced injector, while averages of 6.10 (3.7) years, 1842.2 (4793) filler injections, and 1308.5 (3363) toxin injections were estimated to advance from advanced to expert injector. The nose and the perioral region have been ranked as the facial regions where it is most difficult to achieve a perfect aesthetic outcome and with the greatest risk for the occurrence of adverse events for filler and toxin injections, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In this study we establish an educational framework in aesthetic medicine by defining the progression from novice to competent and expert injector levels, suggesting 4 years of practice and over 790 filler and 550 neuromodulator injections for competence, and at least 6 years with 1840 filler and 1310 neuromodulator injections for expertise. We also identify critical facial regions for targeted treatments by different expertise levels.

Ex Vivo Product Distribution of Injectable Biostimulator Substances.

BACKGROUND: Increasing demand for minimally invasive aesthetic treatments, such as injection of biostimulator substances to induce the production of extracellular matrix, has been reported. Recent studies have reported on a variety of different product characteristics influencing the integration and distribution of biostimulator substances after injection. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to analyze the ex vivo product integration and distribution behavior of 6 different biostimulator substances after injection. METHODS: A total of n = 21 abdominal soft tissue flaps were analysed by real-time ultrasound imaging with regards to horizontal and vertical spread of 6 different injected biostimulator substances-based on hydroxylapatite (HA), polycaprolactone (PCL), and poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA)-immediately after injection and after massaging. The 6 different biostimulator substances were R-CaHA-based, H-CaHA-based, PCL-based, PLLA-1-based, PLLA-2-based and H-HA-based products. RESULTS: Overall, the R-CaHA-, H-CaHA-, and PCL-based substances showed greater product spread after massaging when compared with the product distribution immediately after the injection with all P < .001 with the exception of the vertical dimension of the H-CaHA-based substance (P = .064). The PLLA-1-, PLLA-2-, and H-HA-based substances showed smaller product spread after massaging compared with the product distribution immediately after the injection with all P < .001 with the exception of the horizontal dimension of the H-HA-based substance (P = .314), indicating higher tissue integration. CONCLUSIONS: Different biostimulator substances behave differently when injected into subcutaneous soft tissues; differences exist at the level of initial product diffusion and during tissue integration.

How We Look At Mature Faces-An Eye-Tracking Investigation Into the Perception of Age.

BACKGROUND: It is still unclear which facial region contributes most to the perception of an aged face when evaluated by eye-tracking analyses. OBJECTIVES: The authors sought to apply eye-tracking technology to identify whether mature faces require longer fixation durations than young faces and which facial region contributes most to the perception of a mature face. METHODS: Eye-tracking analyses were conducted in 74 volunteers (37 males, 37 females; 43 ≤ 40 years, 31 > 40 years) evaluating their gaze pattern and the fixation durations for the entire face and 9 facial subregions. Frontal facial images of 16 younger (<40 years) and older (>40 years) gender-matched individuals were presented in a standardized setting. RESULTS: Independent of age or gender of the observer, a younger stimulus image was viewed shorter than an older stimulus image with 0.82 (0.63) seconds vs 1.06 (0.73) seconds with P < 0.001. There was no statistically significant difference in their duration of a stable eye fixation when observers inspected a male vs a female stimulus image [0.94 (0.70) seconds vs 0.94 (0.68) seconds; P = 0.657] independent of the observer's age or gender. The facial image that captured the most attention of the observer (rank 9) was the perioral region with 1.61 (0.73) seconds for younger observers and 1.57 (0.73) seconds for older observers. CONCLUSIONS: It was revealed that the perioral region attracts the most attention of observers and contributes most to an aged facial appearance. Practitioners should be mindful of the importance of the perioral region when designing an aesthetic treatment plan.

Updated Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials Comparing External Fixation to Intramedullary Nailing in the Treatment of Open Tibial Fractures.

Background: The purpose of this study was to collect all available randomized controlled trials (RCT) on the treatment of open tibial fractures with an external fixator (EF) and intramedullary nailing (IMN) for meta-analysis to provide reliable evidence-based data for clinical decision-making. Material and methods: The systematic review was undertaken in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and AMSTAR (Assessing the Methodological Quality of Systematic Review). An electronic search of PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science was performed until 1 March 2023 to identify RCTs which compared either IMN or EF to fix the open tibial fracture. Outcome measures were: postoperative superficial and deep infection, time to union, delayed union, malunion, nonunion and hardware failure. In addition, pain and health-related quality of life were evaluated after 3 and 12 months of follow-up. Results: Sixteen publications comprising 1011 patients were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled results suggested that the IMN technique had a lower postoperative superficial infection and malunion rate (RR = 3.56, 95%CI = 2.56-4.95 and RR = 1.96, 95%CI = 1.12-3.44, respectively), but higher hardware failure occurrence in contrast to EF (RR = 0.30; 95%CI = 0.13-0.69). No significant differences were found in the union time, delayed union or nonunion rate, and postoperative deep infection rate between the treatments. Lower levels of pain were found in the EF group (RR = 0.05, 95%CI = 0.02-0.17, p < 0.001). A difference in quality of life favoring IMN after 3 months was found (RR = -0.04, 95%CI = -0.05-0.03, p < 0.001), however, no statistical difference was found after 12 months (RR = 0.03, 95%CI = -0.05-0.11, p = 0.44). Conclusions: Meta-analysis presented reduced incidence rates of superficial infection, malunion, and health-related quality of life 3 months after treatment in IMN. However, EF led to a significant reduction in pain and incidence rate of hardware failure. Postoperative deep infection, delayed union, nonunion and health-related quality of life 12 months following therapy were similar between groups. More high-quality RCTs should be conducted to provide reliable evidence-based data for clinical decision-making.

Quantitative Mobility Analysis of the Face and its Relevance for Surgical and Non-surgical Aesthetic Facial Procedures.

BACKGROUND: Understanding the degree of facial mobility upon postural changes is of great clinical relevance especially if facial assessment, facial measurements and/or facial markings are done in an upright position, but facial procedures are performed in a supine position. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to investigate regional facial skin displacement and facial volume changes in individuals between upright and supine positions. METHODS: This multi-center study analyzed a total of 175 study participants with a mean age of 35.0 (10.2) years and a mean body mass index of 24.71 (3.5) kg/m2. 3D surface scanning technology with automated registration and alignment was utilized, and multivariate analyses were performed with adjustment for age, gender, body mass index, facial skin sagging and laxity. RESULTS: The medial face displaced less than the lateral face in both cranial (0.88 mm) and in lateral (0.76 mm) directions, and the lower face displaced more than the middle face in both cranial (1.17 mm) and lateral directions (1.37 mm). Additionally, the medial face lost, on average, 3.00cc whereas the lateral face increased by 5.86cc in volume; the middle face increased by 2.95cc, whereas the lower face decreased by 0.98cc in volume. All p < 0.001. CONCLUSION: Practitioners should be mindful that there is a statistically significant change in facial soft tissues between the upright and supine positions and that the magnitude of the change does not necessarily reflect on the aging process alone but is a multi-factorial process which should be individualized for each patient's needs. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Facial Soft Tissue Repositioning With Neuromodulators: Lessons Learned From Facial Biomechanics.

BACKGROUND: Neuromodulators have proven efficacy in reducing facial rhytides and have also been reported to improve jawline contour and the appearance of platysmal bands. Lifting effects of the tail of the eyebrow are expected outcomes when targeting the lateral periorbital region, underscoring the versatility of neuromodulator treatments. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical effectiveness of a novel neuromodulator-based injection algorithm with regards to its ability to reposition the middle and lower facial soft tissues. METHODS: Seventy-five study participants (8 males, 67 females) with a mean [standard deviation] age of 37.5 [8.5] years were injected with neuromodulators in the subdermal plane of the mandibular soft tissues following a standardized algorithm. Live rating of clinical appearance was performed, as well as volume change and skin vector displacement measured by 3-dimensional imaging at baseline, Day 14, and Day 30. RESULTS: Three-dimensional volume analysis revealed an increase in midfacial volume by 0.46 mL, and a decrease of the lower facial volume by 0.30 mL compared with baseline. Additionally, an improvement of midfacial fullness (by 0.13) and jawline contour (by 0.44) was reported on clinical rating scales at Day 30 compared with baseline. CONCLUSIONS: Facial soft tissues can be repositioned during the 30-day follow-up period following a neuromodulator treatment; this was reflected through an increase in midfacial volume as well as through a decrease in lower facial volume. The novel injection algorithm presented can provide a safe and effective option for patients desiring improvement of midfacial fullness and jawline contour with neuromodulator treatment alone.

Global Recommendations on COVID-19 Vaccines and Soft Tissue Filler Reactions: A Survey-Based Investigation in Cooperation With the International Society for Dermatologic and Aesthetic Surgery (ISDS).

BACKGROUND: Recent reports have surfaced from the United States Food and Drug Administration hearings in December 2020 regarding the COVID-19 vaccines and study participants who developed facial and/or lip swelling after receiving the newly developed drug. Despite an incidence rate of 0.02% in the vaccine arm of the Moderna mRNA-1273 trial, concerns have been expressed about the association of adverse reactions following soft tissue filler injections and the COVID-19 vaccines. The International Society for Dermatologic and Aesthetic Surgery (ISDS) understands these concerns and has designed the following study. METHODS: A global survey was designed to capture the incidence of adverse events related to: (1) previous soft tissue filler injections, (2) soft tissue filler injections during positive testing for COVID-19, and (3) soft tissue filler injections during and after receiving any of the COVID-19 vaccines globally available. RESULTS: The information of 106 survey participants from 18 different countries was analyzed. 80.2% (n=85) never experienced any adverse reaction following their soft tissue filler injection whereas 15.1% (n=16) experienced swelling and 4.7% (n=5) experienced pain that lasted longer than two days. Of those who received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine (n=78), 94.9% reported not to have experienced any adverse reaction related to their previous soft tissue filler injection, whereas 5.1% (n=4) reported to have perceived pain that lasted longer than two days. CONCLUSION: The data collected does not support the concern for an increased risk of developing adverse reactions following soft tissue filler injections associated with the COVID-19 vaccines compared to that risk associated with other previously described triggers or the default risk following soft tissue filler injections. J Drugs Dermatol. 20(4):374-378. doi:10.36849/JDD.2021.6041.

The Influence of Different Light Angles During Standardized Patient Photographic Assessment on the Aesthetic Perception of the Face.

BACKGROUND: 2D baseline and follow-up clinical images are potentially subject to inconsistency due to alteration of imaging parameters. However, no study to date has attempted to quantify the magnitude by which such images can be influenced. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study is to identify the magnitude by which images can be influenced by changing the imaging light angle. METHODS: This study is based on the evaluation of 2D frontal images of the face and included a total of 51 subjects of which n = 14 were males and n = 37 were females. Faces were photographed at 0°, 30°, and 60° light angle under identical and standardized conditions. Images were randomized and rated by 27 blinded raters for age, facial attractiveness, body mass index (BMI), temporal hollowing, lower cheek fullness, nasolabial sulcus severity, and jawline contour. RESULTS: Facial attractiveness decreased, facial unattractiveness increased and the evaluated BMI (based on facial assessment) increased statistically significantly at 60°. The assessment of regional facial scores, i.e., temporal hollowing, lower cheek fullness, and jawline contour, showed no statistically meaningful changes both at 30° and at 60° light angle. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that there might be an observed blind range in light angle (0°-30°) which does not influence facial assessment. Increasing the light angle past the threshold value to 60° might result in a statistically significant impact on facial perception which should be accounted for when documenting and/or presenting facial 2D images. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE V: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Increasing precision during neuromodulator injections for frontal rhytids-Using ultrasound imaging to identify the line of convergence.

BACKGROUND: Recent research introduced the concept of the "line of convergence" as a guide for injectors to enhance precision and avoid complications when treating the frontalis muscle with toxins. However, currently, no pre-injection ultrasound scanning is employed to increase precision and reduce adverse events when searching for the line of convergence. OBJECTIVE: To explore the feasibility and practicality of implementing pre-injection ultrasound scanning into aesthetic neuromodulator treatments of the forehead. METHODS: The sample of this study consisted of n = 55 volunteers (42 females and 13 males), with a mean age of 42.24 (10.3) years and a mean BMI of 25.07 (4.0) kg/m2. High-frequency ultrasound imaging was utilized to measure the thickness, length, and contractility of the frontal soft tissue and to determine the precise location of the line of convergence during maximal frontalis muscle contraction. RESULTS: The results revealed that the line of convergence was located at 58.43% (8.7) of the total forehead height above the superior border of the eyebrow cilia without a statistically significant difference between sex, age, or BMI. With frontalis muscle contraction, the forehead shortens in males by 25.90% (6.5), whereas in females it shortens only by 21.74% (5.1), with p < 0.001 for sex differences. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated the feasibility and practicality of pre-injection ultrasound scanning for facial aesthetic neuromodulator treatments. Knowing the location of the line of convergence, injectors can determine precisely and on an individual basis where to administer the neuromodulator deep or superficial or when the injection location is at risk to cause eyebrow ptosis.

The "Central Tendency Bias" in the assessment of facial attractiveness in group-based and individual ratings-A survey-based study in 727 volunteers.

BACKGROUND: The increasing number of esthetic procedures emphasizes the need for effective evaluation methods of outcomes. Current practices include the individual practitioners' judgment in conjunction with standardized scales, often relying on the comparison of before and after photographs. This study investigates whether comparative evaluations influence the perception of beauty and aims to enhance the accuracy of esthetic assessments in clinical and research settings. OBJECTIVE: To compare the evaluation of attractiveness and gender characteristics of faces in group-based versus individual ratings. METHODS: A sample of 727 volunteers (average age of 29.5 years) assessed 40 facial photographs (20 male, 20 female) for attractiveness, masculinity, and femininity using a 5-point Likert scale. Each face was digitally edited to display varying ratios in four lip-related proportions: vertical lip position, lip width, upper lip esthetics, and lower lip esthetics. Participants rated these images both in an image series (group-based) and individually. RESULTS: Differences in the perception of the most attractive/masculine/feminine ratios for each lip proportion were found in both the group-based and individual ratings. Group ratings exhibited a significant central tendency bias, with a preference for more average outcomes compared with individual ratings, with an average difference of 0.50 versus 1.00. (p = 0.033) CONCLUSION: A central tendency bias was noted in evaluations of attractiveness, masculinity, and femininity in group-based image presentation, indicating a bias toward more "average" features. Conversely, individual assessments displayed a preference for more pronounced, "non-average" appearances, thereby possibly pointing toward a malleable "intrinsic esthetic blueprint" shaped by comparative context.

Comparative Analysis of Complication Rates in Tibial Shaft Fractures: Intramedullary Nail vs. Ilizarov External Fixation Method.

Background: The external fixation (EF) Ilizarov method, shown to offer efficacy and relative safety, has unique biomechanical properties. Intramedullary nail fixation (IMN) is an advantageous alternative, offering biomechanical stability and a minimally invasive procedure. The aim of this study was to assess outcomes in patients undergoing tibia fracture fixation, comparing the Ilizarov EF and IMN methods in an early phase of IMN implementation in Serbia. Methods: This was a retrospective study including patients with radiologically confirmed closed and open (Gustilo and Anderson type I) tibial diaphysis fractures treated at the Institute for Orthopedic Surgery "Banjica'' from January 2013 to June 2017. The following demographic and clinical data were retrieved: age, sex, chronic disease diagnoses, length of hospital stay, surgical wait times, surgery length, type of anesthesia used, fracture, prophylaxis, mechanism of injury, postsurgical complications, time to recovery, and pain reduction. Pain intensity was measured by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), a self-reported scale ranging from 0 to 100 mm. Results: A total of 58 IMN patients were compared to 74 patients who underwent Ilizarov EF. Study groups differed in time to recovery (p < 0.001), length of hospitalization (p = 0.007), pain intensity at the fracture site (p < 0.001), and frequency of general anesthesia in favor of intramedullary fixation (p < 0.001). A shorter surgery time (p < 0.001) and less antibiotic use (p < 0.001) were observed when EF was used. Additionally, we identified that the intramedullary fixation was a significant predictor of pain intensity. Conclusions: The IMN method offers faster recovery and reduced pain intensity in comparison to EF, while the length of surgery predicted the occurrence of any complication.

White matter abnormalities in Parkinson's disease patients with glucocerebrosidase gene mutations.

Glucocerebrosidase gene mutations represent a genetic risk factor for the development of Parkinson's disease. This study investigated brain alterations in Parkinson's disease patients carrying heterozygous glucocerebrosidase gene mutations using structural and diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging. Among 360 Parkinson's disease patients screened for glucocerebrosidase gene mutations, 19 heterozygous mutation carriers (5.3%) were identified. Of these, 15 patients underwent a neuropsychological evaluation and a magnetic resonance imaging scan. Sixteen age- and sex-matched healthy controls and 14 idiopathic Parkinson's disease patients without glucocerebrosidase gene mutations were also studied. Tract-based spatial statistics was used to perform a white matter voxel-wise analysis of diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging metrics. Mean fractional anisotropy values were obtained from white matter tracts of interest. Voxel-based morphometry was used to assess gray-matter atrophy. Cognitive deficits were found in 9 mutation carrier patients (60%). Compared with controls, Parkinson's disease patients carrying glucocerebrosidase gene mutations showed decreased fractional anisotropy in the olfactory tracts, corpus callosum, and anterior limb of the internal capsule bilaterally, as well as in the right anterior external capsule, and left cingulum, parahippocampal tract, parietal portion of the superior longitudinal fasciculus, and occipital white matter. Mutation carrier patients also had decreased fractional anisotropy of the majority of white matter tracts compared with Parkinson's disease patients with no mutations. No white matter abnormalities were found in Parkinson's disease patients without glucocerebrosidase gene mutations. No gray matter difference was found between patients and controls. In Parkinson's disease patients, verbal fluency scores correlated with white matter abnormalities. Parkinson's disease patients carrying glucocerebrosidase gene mutations experience a distributed pattern of white matter abnormalities involving the interhemispheric, frontal corticocortical, and parahippocampal tracts. White matter pathology in these patients may have an impact on the clinical manifestations of the disease, including cognitive impairment.

Histological effects of a combined collagen stimulation procedure consisting of microfocused ultrasound, soft tissue filler, and Ca-HA injections.

BACKGROUND: An increasing demand for in-office aesthetic procedures aiming to improve collagen stimulation has been reported. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effects of combinations of different aesthetic collagen stimulation procedures using histological analysis. METHODS: Histological analysis was performed on skin samples of the excess skin of a 60-year-old patient after sub-superficial musculo-aponeurotic system facelift surgery. The excess skin before facelift surgery was divided into three areas per hemiface. Each area-with exception of area A as a control-received an isolated or combined treatment of microfocused ultrasound (MFU), injections of calcium-hydroxylapatite/hyaluronic-acid-based soft tissue filler, and microneedling. The effect of the treatments was analyzed using histological analysis with H&E coloration and PAS staining. RESULTS: A threefold increase of epidermal and dermal thickness was achieved by treating the skin with the proposed combined treatment comprising MFU and injections of calcium-hydroxylapatite- and hyaluronic-acid-based soft tissue fillers. CONCLUSION: The investigated treatments act synergistically in the production of collagen and combining these treatments allows for an increase in collagen production.

Clinical validation of the upper face first principle-A clinical, prospective, interventional split-face study.

BACKGROUND: Previous clinical and anatomic investigations have identified the clinical relevance of facial biomechanics. Based on this new understanding, principles for facial aesthetic procedures were established: Lateral Face First, Deep Layers First, and Upper Face First. OBJECTIVE: To test the upper face first principle by showing that an injection sequence, starting in the upper face is superior to an injection sequence starting in the lower face. METHODS: This study was designed as an interventional split-face study administering the same amount and type of soft tissue filler for the upper, middle, and lower face but in a different sequence: upper, middle, lower face versus lower, middle, and upper face. A total of 15 patients (5 males and 10 females) with a mean age of 39.4 years (9.6) and a mean BMI of 23.4 kg/m2 (1.7) were studied. Follow-up at D0, D30, and D90 was conducted utilizing semiquantitative scores and objective 3D imaging. RESULTS: Despite not reaching statistical significance, midfacial volume and jawline contouring were rated better at every follow-up visit (D0, D30, D90) when treated with the upper versus the lower face first injection algorithm. The global aesthetic improvement scale showed statistically significantly better values for the upper face first algorithm when compared to the lower face first algorithm at all evaluated time points with all p < 0.001. CONCLUSION: Applying the upper face first injection algorithm seems to result in better aesthetic outcomes when directly compared to the lower face first algorithm. Semiquantitative and objective outcome measurements confirm its clinical effectiveness.

How to improve infraorbital hollows with neuromodulators-A clinical prospective interventional study about the application of facial biomechanics.

BACKGROUND: A previous injection algorithm termed the "Toxin Lift" was recently introduced and described volume increases in the midface following neuromodulator treatments of the jawline. Increase in midfacial volume due to soft tissue repositioning could also affect the severity of infraorbital hollows. OBJECTIVE: The objective is therefore to evaluate whether the severity of infraorbital hollows can be improved by injecting neuromodulators in the supra-mandibular segment of the platysma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 35 volunteers (11 males/24 females) with a mean age of 39.8 (9.6) years and a mean BMI of 25.2 (5.2) kg/m2 were investigated. Bilateral infraorbital regions were evaluated via clinical assessment and semi-quantitative 3D imaging. The applied injection technique targeted the platysma via four injection points administering 5 I.U. per injection point resulting in a total of 20 I.U. per facial side. RESULTS: Volume increase of the infraorbital region was 0.13 cc at 15 days (p = 0.001) and was 0.02 cc at 30 days (p = 0.452) whereas the skin displacement in cranial direction was 0.54 mm at 15 days (p < 0.001) and was 0.31 mm at 30 days (p < 0.001). Clinical evaluation revealed a highly statistically significant improvement of the tear trough, palpaebromalar groove, and of the lid-cheek junction when compared to baseline with all p < 0.001. CONCLUSION: The results of this clinical prospective interventional analysis revealed that the "Toxin Lift" injection technique is capable to improve the clinical appearance of infraorbital hollows. The effects can be explained by the concepts of facial biomechanics.

Percutaneous Computed Tomography-Guided Oxygen-Ozone (O2O3) Injection Therapy in Patients with Lower Back Pain-An Interventional Two-Year Follow-Up Study of 321 Patients.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of oxygen-ozone therapy guided by percutaneous Computed Tomography (CT) compared to corticosteroids in individuals experiencing lower back pain (LBP) not attributed to underlying bone-related issues. METHODS: A total of 321 patients (192 males and 129 females, mean age: 51.5 ± 15.1 years) with LBP were assigned to three treatment groups: group A) oxygen-ozone only, group B) corticosteroids only, group C) oxygen-ozone and corticosteroids. Treatment was administered via CT-guided injections to the intervertebral disc (i.e., intradiscal location). Clinical improvement of pain and functionality was assessed via self-reported pain scales and magnetic resonance (MR) and CT imaging. RESULTS: At all follow-up times, the mean score of the numeric rating scale and the total global pain scale (GPS) of study groups receiving oxygen-ozone (groups A and C) were statistically significantly lower than the study group receiving corticosteroids only (group B), with p < 0.001. There was a statistically significant difference between groups A and C at 30 days for the numeric rating scale. CONCLUSIONS: The percutaneous application of oxygen-ozone in patients with LBP due to degeneration of the lumbosacral spine showed long-lasting significant pain reduction of up to two years post-treatment when compared to corticosteroids alone. Combination therapy of oxygen-ozone and corticosteroids can be useful as corticosteroids showed statistically significant improvement in LBP earlier than the oxygen-ozone-only treatment.

Reevaluation of the Layered Anatomy of the Forehead: Introducing the Subfrontalis Fascia and the Retrofrontalis Fat Compartments.

BACKGROUND: Novel imaging methods have provided new insights into the layered anatomy of the forehead. This study seeks to critically reevaluate the layered anatomy of the forehead by using ultrasound imaging and cadaveric dissection to provide an accurate anatomical description that can be used to guide safer surgical and minimally invasive frontal procedures. METHODS: This study used ultrasound imaging in a sample of 20 volunteers (12 female and eight male volunteers; aged 35.25 ± 4.2 years; body mass index, 24.28 ± 3.5 kg/m2) and cadaveric dissections of 16 body donors (12 female and four male body donors; aged 72.76 ± 9.5 years) to reevaluate the layered anatomy of the forehead. Layer-by-layer dissections and ultrasound-based measurements of the frontal structures guided conclusions. RESULTS: The following layered arrangement was identified: layer 1, skin; layer 2, superficial fatty layer; layer 3, suprafrontalis fascia; layer 4, orbicularis oculi and frontalis muscle (same plane); layer 5, a homogenous layer of fat [preseptal fat (in the upper eyelid), retro-orbicularis fat (deep to the orbicularis oculi muscle), and retro-frontalis fat (deep to the frontalis muscle); layer 6, subfrontalis fascia; layer 7, preperiosteal fat within the prefrontal space in the lower forehead and deep compartments in the upper forehead; and layer 8, periosteum. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study add to the current understanding of the layered arrangement of the forehead. The combination of ultrasound imaging and cadaveric dissections provided evidence for a continuous fatty layer deep to the frontalis muscle.

Metanalysis on the effectiveness of low back pain treatment with oxygen-ozone mixture: Comparison between image-guided and non-image-guided injection techniques.

Low back pain (LBP) is a common disorder affecting an increasing number of people worldwide, whose diagnosis is focused on the identification of triggering causes. First line therapy usually starts from conservative approaches, whereas second line treatments include a spectrum of minimally invasive techniques, before resorting to more invasive surgical approaches. Among minimally invasive techniques, percutaneous oxygen-ozone injections represent one of the most common and cost-effective procedures. Aim of this study is to provide a metanalysis on literature evidences on percutaneous oxygen-ozone injections, comparing image-guided to non-image-guided techniques for LBP treatment. Imaging-guided procedures showed better performances compared to non-image-guided techniques based only on anatomical landmarks, with higher therapeutic efficacy and lower age-related variability in clinical results.

Soft tissue filler augmentation of the orbicularis retaining ligament to improve the lid-cheek junction.

BACKGROUND: The orientation of facial ligaments changes with increasing age due to the loss of bony support. Soft tissue filler injections placed in close proximity to facial ligaments can alter their orientation to help achieve an improved and younger aesthetic appearance. OBJECTIVE: To assess the anatomic and aesthetic effects of a standardized injection with soft tissue filler placed directly inferior to the orbicularis retaining ligament in the infraorbital region. METHODS: A total of 163 patients with signs of infraorbital aging were treated with a standardized soft tissue filler injection into and in close proximity to the orbicularis retaining ligament (ORL). 2D frontal images of the infraorbital region were rated by eleven blinded and independent raters with regards to the aesthetic appearance of the infraorbital region before and after the standardized injection treatment. RESULTS: The aesthetic appearance of the entire infraorbital region (lid-cheek junction) was rated before and after the treatment. The severity of the tear trough (medial aspect of the infraorbital region) as well as the hollowing of the lateral aspect of the infraorbital region also was rated before and after the treatment. Aesthetic improvement was statistically significant when evaluated by the blinded raters, the treating physician, and the patients. All the results were "very much improved" compared to baseline. CONCLUSION: The effectiveness of this injection technique is thought to be due to the strategic placement of soft tissue filler that helps to reposition facial ligaments that have changed their orientation during the aging process.