Aesthetic Implantation of Calcium Hydroxylapatite Does Not Interfere With Radiological Assessment of Bones in the Dorsum of the Hands.

[BACKGROUND] Calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) is a radiopaque dermal filler used to provide volume correction in the dorsum of the hand.

[OBJECTIVES] The aim of this study was to evaluate whether CaHA implantation in the dorsum of the hand interferes with radiological assessment by obscuring the bones.

[METHODS] This 2-year, prospective, single-center, open-label study enrolled 20 subjects with Merz Hand Grading Scale (MHGS) grades ranging from moderate (MHGS 2 or 3; n = 10) to very severe (MHGS 4; n = 10). All subjects received an initial CaHA treatment and were offered up to 3 retreatments to provide volume correction in the dorsum of the hands, over a period of 18 months. Bone obscuration was assessed by blinded, licensed radiologists responsible for interpreting plain radiographs (X-rays).

[RESULTS] CaHA was seen to be present in 100% of hands in Month 1 X-rays and in 83.3% in Month 24 X-rays, but no bone obscuration was reported in any X-rays at any evaluated time point.

[CONCLUSIONS] According to blinded radiologists, treatment with CaHA in the dorsum of the hand does not obscure radiographic assessment of the bones seen on X-rays up to 24 months after initial injection. The safety of CaHA retreatment was also demonstrated by the lack of bone obscuration after multiple retreatments.