Cutaneous hypersensitivity reaction to injectable hyaluronic acid gel

BACKGROUND. Injectable hyaluronic acid gel is a nonanimal biomaterial used for soft tissue augmentation. OBJECTIVE. The dermal implantation of this naturally occuring polysaccharid e is reported to be well tolerated by patients, with a longer duration in t issue than bovine collagen without any major local or systemic side effects . We report a case of an acute hypersensitivity reaction in a woman after h er third injection for improvement of melolabial fold wrinkles. METHODS. An adverse granulomatous-like response to the intradermal injectio n of a modified hyaluronic acid gel is described. RESULTS. The patient developed indurated and erythematous papulocystic nodu les in the melolabial folds bilaterally at the sites of injection. CONCLUSION. Injectable hyaluronic acid gel can be associated with severe al lergic reactions and patients should be warned of this possible treatment s ide effect.