Ultrasound-Based Classification of Infraorbital Fat and Groove Patterns: Clinical Implications for Safer Filler...

Area of Science:

• Aesthetic medicine
• Facial anatomy
• Medical imaging

Background:

• The infraorbital region presents complex aesthetic challenges due to age-related changes like grooves and fat bulging.
• Hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers are common for infraorbital hollows, but improper placement can lead to complications.
• Clinical evaluation alone is often inadequate for identifying underlying anatomical variations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To classify infraorbital grooves and fat patterns using ultrasound imaging.
• To develop practical guidelines for enhancing the safety and precision of filler injections in the infraorbital region.

Main Methods:

• Ultrasonographic evaluation of the lower eyelid was performed on 31 patients over 40 years old.
• A classification system (Types A-E) was developed based on the relationship between infraorbital fat, the inferior orbital rim, and visible grooves.

Main Results:

• The five anatomical types identified reflect varying degrees of infraorbital fat descent and groove depth.
• Types D and E, characterized by infraorbital fat extending to or beyond the orbital rim, indicate a higher risk of filler misplacement during deep injections.

Conclusions:

• Pre-injection ultrasound provides crucial information on fat positioning and vascular structures, enabling safer, individualized injection strategies.
• The proposed anatomical classification offers a clinically valuable framework for personalized infraorbital filler treatments.