Lymphangioma Formation Following Hyaluronic Acid Injection for Lip Augmentation

Abstract

Administration of hyaluronic acid (HA) filler for aesthetic lip augmentation is a routine and common procedure with a low rate of adverse reactions. This case report documents an extremely rare complication of lip augmentation with HA leading to the development of lymphangiomas. Lymphangiomas are uncommon hamartomas of the lymphatic system. Although usually congenital, they can be acquired due to trauma, inflammation, or lymphatic blockage. They may be in the deep or superficial tissues, with superficial forms being either lymphangioma circumscriptum or acquired lymphangioma, also referred to as lymphangiectasia. Acquired lymphangiomas are typically formed by blockage of lymphatic drainage leading to dilation of the lymphatic channels. The diagnosis in our case report is acquired lymphangioma. A 27-year-old female presented with a two-year history of linear swellings in her upper lip. These lumps followed the line where HA filler had been injected four years earlier. Hyaluronidase had previously been used unsuccessfully to remove these lumps. The patient was treated with surgery to excise the lesions. Five masses were excised, and histopathological analysis displayed the presence of variably ectatic lacunae, lined by cells with CD34 expression, a lymph-vascular-endothelial marker. There were also scattered macrophages with CD68 expression in the interstices. These are typical features of a lymphangioma. The patient was satisfied with the excellent aesthetic and functional outcome. To our knowledge this is the first case of a lymphangioma following HA lip augmentation. Although rare, this complication can have aesthetic implications for the patient which may require further treatment or surgery to correct.