Anatomic evaluation of the normal variants of the arteries of face using color Doppler ultrasonography: Implications for facial aesthetic procedures.

Abstract

Knowledge of normal facial vascular variations could prevent catastrophic complications of cosmetic procedures as well as providing a guide for surgical planning. Color Doppler ultrasound is a safe and noninvasive method for real time vascular evaluation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the normal variations of the facial, angular, transverse facial, supratrochlear and supraorbital arteries in a sample of normal individuals. Normal individuals referred for dermal filler injection to the tertiary dermatologic center, were selected. Patients who were smoker or had a history of facial filler injection, facial surgery, or trauma were excluded from the study. Facial artery at three levels as well as angular, supratrochlear, supraorbital, and transverse facial arteries were evaluated by an 18 MHz ultrasound linear probe regarding their distance from facial reference lines and landmarks, and also their depths in various regions of face. A total number of 43 individuals were evaluated in this study. Thirty-one (72.1%) were women. The number of absent facial artery was zero in level one, three (3.48%) in level two, and nine (10.46%) in level three. The angular artery was absent in 10 (11.62%) participants. The transverse facial artery was absent in 27 (31.39%) assessed individuals. Distance from reference lines at level 2 and 3 of facial artery and its depth at level 2 were significantly different between left and right side (p-values: <0.001, 0.01, and 0.03, respectively). No significant difference was seen between depth and distance of two sides for angular and transverse facial arteries. The comparison of the depths and distances from the reference lines of the assessed arteries between two sexes revealed only a significantly greater value of facial artery distance in level 1 in males (p-value: 0.001). BMI was also significantly correlated with the depth of facial artery in level 2 (Pearson correlation coefficient=0.471, p-value=0.002) and level 3 (Pearson correlation coefficient=0.357, p-value=0.03) and the distance of the facial artery in level 1 (Pearson correlation coefficient=0.333, p-value=0.029). Color Doppler ultrasound could be used to map the arteries of face to prevent vascular complications and safely guide cosmetic procedures.