Imaging characteristics of incidentally detected cosmetic surgery-derived foreign bodies on CT images in the maxillofacial region

This study examined the imaging characteristics of cosmetic surgery-derived foreign bodies in the maxillofacial region through a retrospective review of cosmetic material foreign bodies incidentally detected on computed tomography (CT) images in routine clinical practice.

We retrospectively investigated cases of cosmetic surgery-derived foreign bodies other than dental materials in the maxillofacial region, using 5 years of CT image data stored on an imaging server. The imaging findings of these foreign bodies were investigated, along with patient age, patient sex, whether the foreign bodies were associated with the disease targeted by the CT scan, and the availability of cosmetic surgery information prior to examination.

Foreign bodies were more common in women (19/21 cases), and affected patients displayed a wide age range (20–84 years). Four types of cosmetic surgery-derived foreign bodies in the maxillofacial region were detected by CT examination: nasal prostheses (nasal region), lifting sutures and injectable facial fillers (both in the buccal region), and silicone chin implants (chin region).

A cosmetic surgery-derived foreign body should be suspected when a foreign body is identified without a dental source of infection. In addition, cosmetic surgery-derived foreign bodies may be present in numerous patients, regardless of age or sex.