Longitudinal Assessment of Masseter Muscle Elasticity Changes After BoNT-A Injection Using Ultrasound Elastography: A Prospective Self-Controlled Study.

Aesthetic plastic surgery 2026 Vol.50(5) p. 2012-2020

Yan M, Luo Y, Wu Q, Zhao M, Qiu Y, Chai H, Jia Y, Yu P, Lu J

Abstract

[BACKGROUND] Botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT-A) is widely used to treat masseter hypertrophy, but its long-term structural effects remain unclear. While animal studies suggest reversible and irreversible remodeling, human data on microstructural changes are limited. Ultrasound elastography (USE) offers a non-invasive method to quantitatively assess muscle elasticity and detect fibrosis risk.

[METHODS] A prospective self-controlled trial enrolled 14 subjects (28 masseter muscles) aged 21-27 years. Masseter thickness and standardized USE measurements (shear wave velocity, V median) were performed at baseline and 1, 3, and 6 months post-injection. Statistical analysis included paired t-tests and Spearman correlation.

[RESULTS] Masseter thickness decreased significantly by 28.9-31.5% at 1-3 months (p ≤ 0.05), with partial recovery (47.4%) by 6 months. V median (elasticity) declined at 1-3 months (2.53 ± 0.46 m/s to 2.10 ± 0.45 m/s, p ≤ 0.05), but returned to baseline by 6 months (2.70 ± 0.68 m/s, p > 0.05), indicating reversible structural adaptation. Thickness and elasticity changes were uncorrelated, suggesting distinct recovery mechanism.

[CONCLUSION] BoNT-A induces transient masseter atrophy and elasticity reduction, with full elastic recovery by 6 months despite incomplete volume restoration. USE effectively tracks reversible microstructural remodeling, distinguishing atrophy from fibrosis. These findings support USE as a tool for optimizing injection timing and monitoring functional recovery.

[LEVEL OF EVIDENCE II] 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 .

추출된 의학 개체 (NER)

유형영어 표현한국어 / 풀이UMLS CUI출처등장
해부 masseter scispacy 1
해부 muscle scispacy 1
해부 microstructural scispacy 1
약물 ± 0.45 m/s, p scispacy 1
약물 BoNT-A → Botulinum neurotoxin type A scispacy 1
약물 [BACKGROUND] Botulinum neurotoxin type A scispacy 1
약물 [RESULTS] Masseter thickness scispacy 1
질환 masseter hypertrophy scispacy 1
질환 fibrosis C0016059
Fibrosis
scispacy 1
질환 masseter atrophy scispacy 1
질환 atrophy C0333641
Atrophic
scispacy 1
질환 Masseter Muscle Elasticity scispacy 1
질환 masseter muscles scispacy 1
기타 Self-Controlled scispacy 1
기타 BoNT-A → Botulinum neurotoxin type A scispacy 1
기타 human scispacy 1

MeSH Terms

Humans; Masseter Muscle; Elasticity Imaging Techniques; Botulinum Toxins, Type A; Female; Adult; Prospective Studies; Male; Young Adult; Elasticity; Neuromuscular Agents; Injections, Intramuscular; Hypertrophy; Longitudinal Studies; Treatment Outcome; Follow-Up Studies

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이 논문이 참조한 문헌 24

외부 PMID 10건 (DB 미수집)