Silicone Injection-Related Granulomatous Hypercalcemia

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Endocrinology
• Pathology

Background:

• Cosmetic filler injections can lead to acute and chronic inflammatory reactions.
• These reactions, including granulomas, vary widely in onset, occurring hours to decades post-injection.
• Systemic effects are rare but documented.

Observation:

• A case of granulomatous disease following illicit silicone injection is presented.
• The patient exhibited recalcitrant hypercalcemia secondary to the granulomatous reaction.
• This highlights a rare but severe systemic complication of cosmetic fillers.

Findings:

• Illicit silicone injections can induce granulomatous inflammation.
• This inflammation was associated with persistent and difficult-to-treat hypercalcemia.
• A review of the pathophysiology and treatment options is provided.

Implications:

• This case underscores the potential systemic risks of non-regulated cosmetic fillers.
• Understanding the inflammatory pathways is crucial for managing such complications.
• Effective treatment strategies for hypercalcemia in granulomatous disease are discussed.