# 18F-FDG PET-CT Scans in Oncology Patients Treated with Hyaluronic Acid Filler: Not Always a Pitfall

## TL;DR

A case study shows that hyaluronic acid fillers may not interfere with PET-CT scans in cancer patients, highlighting the importance of patient history in imaging interpretation.

## Contribution

This case demonstrates that hyaluronic acid fillers may not always disrupt PET-CT imaging accuracy in oncology patients.

## Key findings

- A patient with a history of melanoma and HA filler injections showed no imaging artifacts on PET-CT scans.
- Including aesthetic treatments in patient history is crucial for accurate PET-CT interpretation.
- HA fillers may be safely used in oncology patients without necessarily affecting follow-up imaging.

## Abstract

The use of hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers in oncology patients undergoing PET-CT scans is a topic of debate due to potential interference with imaging accuracy. A 54-year-old female, postmelanoma metastasectomy in the parotid region with subsequent facial nerve palsy (FNP), received HA filler injections for facial symmetry and functional restoration. Follow-up PET-CT scans showed no interference or artifacts attributable to HA injection, allowing for accurate imaging results. This case suggests that HA fillers administered in oncology patients may not universally pose challenges or disrupt PET-CT imaging interpretation. Due to the possible false positives induced by fillers, the inclusion of aesthetic treatments in patients' anamnesis is a crucial step to accurately interpret PET-CT images. Although maintaining high level of caution in interpreting PET-CT results after filler injection is essential, our case emphasizes the safety of this procedure in oncology patients undergoing follow-up PET-CT scans.