Progressive craniofacial bone loss after cosmetic surgery at the forehead

Skeletal Radiol. 2012 Apr;41(4):477-81. doi: 10.1007/s00256-011-1330-0. Epub 2011 Nov 30.

Abstract

We present the case of a 59-year-old woman with a history of plastic surgery at the forehead who complained of progressive indentations at the frontal skull. CT and MR scans revealed significant bone thinning, presenting as lytic skull lesions, which progressed over a period of 3 years. Biopsies were obtained from the lytic lesions and histology showed fibrotic tissue, synthetic residue of previous cosmetic procedure, and no evidence of infection or neoplasm. Progressive cranial bone resorption places the patient at increased risk for cerebral injury. This case highlights a potential complication after cosmetic facial surgery, with bony resorption resulting in both skull deformation and increased risk for cerebral injury.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Bone Resorption / diagnosis*
  • Bone Resorption / etiology
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Forehead / surgery*
  • Frontal Bone*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Middle Aged
  • Plastic Surgery Procedures / adverse effects*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed