Cosmetic soft-tissue filler linked to renal failure

The report, in the Mortality and Morbidity Weekly Report, published by the USA Centers for Disease Control, says that the North Carolina Division of Public Health was notified of three cases of renal failure in women who had received cosmetic soft-tissue fillers that contained liquid silicone. The fillers are used to augment or enhance the appearance of lips, breasts, buttocks or other soft tissues.

The practioner was apparently trained as a radiology technician but had no other medical training or supervision. Liquid silicon has not previously been shown to cause renal failure and investigators could not identify what other substances were in the filler.

Cosmetic silicone injections have been associated with granuloma formation, infection, pneumonitis, pulmonary embolism, ulceration, product migration, and death, mostly after injections by unlicensed practitioners using formulations not intended for medical use. However, few data are available concerning the incidence of adverse events after administration of silicone oil soft-tissue fillers by licensed practitioners.