Track

Case Reports

Abstract

Autologous gluteal fat transfer for buttock augmentation has been identified as one of the fastest growing surgical cosmetic procedures of the past decade; however, it has also been associated with several complications that often go unreported. We present the case of a 23-year-old female with a history of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who presented with a one-year history of hyperpigmented, indurated and depressed plaques on the bilateral lateral upper thighs extending to the buttocks. These skin changes persisted despite systemic therapy with hydroxychloroquine, mycophenolate mofetil, and prednisone. She had undergone liposuction and autologous gluteal fat transfer to her thighs and buttocks prior to the development of these changes. A skin biopsy revealed granulomatous inflammation with multinucleated giant cells, and sclerotic changes in the deep dermis and septa of the subcutaneous fat with foci of dystrophic calcification without evidence of intravascular calcification or vasculopathy. The clinical and histopathologic findings led to the diagnosis of granulomatous reaction and sclerosing panniculitis induced by autologous fat transfer. Autologous fat transfer has been favored for body augmentation due to its biocompatibility and easily harvested material. Granulomatous reaction at sites of transfer is an uncommon complication previously reported in cases of facial fat transfers, with only one documented case report after gluteal fat transfer. Dystrophic calcification is an even rarer complication that has been reported only in cases of face and breast augmentation. We present this case to highlight a rare potential complication of an increasingly popular aesthetic procedure.