Description of a novel anatomical venous structure in the nasoglabellar area

Abstract

Injectable dermal fillers are frequently used to reduce the appearance of various facial creases and rhytids. However, venous complications can develop while injecting dermal filler, especially in the nasoglabellar area. The aim of this study was to determine the anatomic patterns of the veins in the nasoglabellar area and to elucidate their detailed location with reference to various facial landmarks. Forty-one heads from Korean and Thai cadavers were dissected. When the anastomosing vein between the bilateral angular veins (AVs) was located in the nasoglabellar area, it was designated the “intercanthal vein” (ICV). The bilateral AVs continued as the facial vein without any communicating branches in 12 cases (29.3%). At the radix of the nose, the AV communicated with the ICV, connecting them bilaterally. The ICV was found above (type IIa) and below (type IIb) the intercanthal line in 26 (63.4%) and 3 cases (7.3%), respectively. The ICV can be regarded as a candidate causative site for the frequent complications associated with dermal filler injection in the nasoglabellar area, and utmost care should be taken when injecting in this area, such as when performing radix augmentation and softening wrinkles in the glabellar area.