Allergic reaction to hyaluronidase in cataract surgery

Allergic Complications of Hyaluronidase Injection: Risk Factors, Treatment Strategies, and Recommendations for Management

BACKGROUND

Hyaluronidase is used as a reversal agent for hyaluronic acid fillers and to increase the diffusion of other medications after infiltration. Cases of hyaluronidase allergy have been described in the literature since 1984. However, it is still frequently misdiagnosed. This review aims to summarize the current literature to describe the clinical picture of hyaluronidase allergy and identify any risk factors associated with its development, as well as provide recommendations for management in plastic surgery.

METHODS

A digital search of PubMed, Scopus, and Embase databases was performed by two reviewers following the PRISMA guidelines. This search identified 247 articles.

RESULTS

Two hundred forty-seven articles were identified, and 37 of them met the eligibility criteria. One hundred six patients with a mean age of 54.2 years were included in these studies. History of allergy to other substances (timothy grass, egg white, horse serum, penicillin, insect bites, wasp venom, thimerosal, potassium, histamine, phenylmercuric acetate, and nickel) and allergic diseases (asthma, dermatitis, atopy, rhinitis) was reported. A large portion of the patients with a history of repeated exposure (2-4) experienced the symptoms with their second injection. Nonetheless, there was no significant association between time to allergy development and the number of exposures (P = 0.3). Treatment with steroids +/- antihistamines resulted in the rapid and predominantly complete reversal of the symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

Prior injections or sensitization by insect/wasp venom might be the primary factor associated with hyaluronidase allergy development. The time between the repeated injections is not a likely contributor to the presentation.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III

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Hyaluronidase Caveats in Treating Filler Complications

BACKGROUND

Most of the complications associated with hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers can be addressed by hyaluronidase. Extensive experience with this enzyme was accumulated in ophthalmology and anesthesia. In dermatologic use multiple aspects still remain controversial.

OBJECTIVE

To elucidate questions with regard to hyaluronidase use in HA-induced complications, including appropriate dosage, timing, and technique of delivery, differences in the activity of hyaluronidases of different origins, interaction between the enzymes and different HA gels, and safety issues.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Extensive review of the relevant literature was conducted. The conclusions are based on this review and personal author's experience.

RESULTS

FDA-approved hyaluronidases provide predictable results and can be used interchangeably. A physician has to be closely familiar with specific characteristics of other hyaluronidases. Different brands of HA fillers have different sensitivity to degradation by hyaluronidase. For filler overcorrection or misplacement, low dose of the enzyme has to be injected directly into the palpable HA mass. In case of vascular accident, flushing of the ischemic area with high doses of hyaluronidase is required. Hypersensitivity reactions to hyaluronidase are so far not reported in dermatologic literature.

CONCLUSION

With increased popularity of HA fillers, hyaluronidase had become an indispensable tool in dermatology office. It is safe and reliable for treatment of HA-induced complications.

The role of hyaluronidase in the treatment of complications from hyaluronic acid dermal fillers

Hyaluronidases, a family of enzymes that are able to degrade hyaluronic acid (HA), are employed in medicine to increase drug diffusion and reverse the effects of HA filler injections. Hyaluronidases are able to dissolve subcutaneous nodules or to correct excessive quantities of injected filler. Knowledge of the use, methods of application, and adverse effects of hyaluronidases is essential for the aesthetic practitioner. Therefore, we performed an extensive review of the available literature from 1928 to 2011 and compared the different enzymes available, recording each author's indications regarding usage and side effects.

Complications of injectable fillers, part I

Dermal filling has rapidly become one of the most common procedures performed by clinicians worldwide. The vast majority of treatments are successful and patient satisfaction is high. However, complications, both mild and severe, have been reported and result from injection of many different types of dermal fillers. In this Continuing Medical Education review article, the author describes common technical errors, the signs and symptoms of both common and rare complications, and management of sequelae in clear, easily adaptable treatment algorithms.

Anaphylactic shock caused by the epidurally-administered hyalurinidase

Hyaluronidase is an enzyme that has temporary and reversible enzymatic effects on the matrix of connective tissue. When added to local anesthetics in pain treatments, it enhances their infiltration and dispersal into tissues. It is widely used in anesthesia for ocular, dental, and plastic surgery. Reports of drug hypersensitivity to hyaluronidase are rare and are usually confined to peribulbar or retrobulbar anesthesia during ophthalmic surgery. However, few reports exist on adverse drug reaction after epidural injection. We have observed two patients experiencing anaphylactic shock caused by hyaluronidase following epidural injection. Most of the patients with a hypersensitivity to hyaluronidase had one previous uneventful injection containing hyaluronidase, implying that sensitization had taken place. However, hypersensitivity occurring at the first administration is possible. A positive skin test can help establish the diagnosis. Although rare, the possibility of an allergic reaction to hyaluronidase should be considered even in patients with no known previous exposure.

Acute urticaria caused by the injection of goat-derived hyaluronidase

Hyaluronidase is a goat testicular protein that hydrolyzes hyaluronic acid, a structural component of the intercellular matrix. It is commonly used as a spreading factor to improve the diffusion of drugs, including local anesthetics and chemotherapeutics. We experienced a 55-yr-old female with generalized urticaria that developed within 1 hr after the epidural injection of hyaluronidase. She had a history of allergic rhinitis, and had suffered from post-herpetic neuralgia and a herniated disc for several years. To relieve her pain, she had been given epidural injections consisting of mepivacaine hydrochloride, triamcinolone acetonide, and morphine sulfate biweekly for one year. Hyaluronidase had been administered several times with these drugs before this episode of generalized urticaria. Skin prick testing showed a positive response to 1,500 IU/mL of hyaluronidase extract, as compared to histamine. The patient's serum hyaluronidase-specific IgE level, determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), was markedly elevated, as compared to unexposed healthy controls. An IgE immunoblot analysis using hyaluronidase extract and the patient's serum showed IgE binding components at 31 and 21 kDa, whereas no corresponding IgE binding component was found in healthy controls. An ELISA inhibition test showed significant, dose-dependent inhibition with the serial addition of hyaluronidase extract. This is the first case of an IgE-medicated allergic reaction to goat (Naemorhedus goral raddenus) hyaluronidase, demonstrated by skin testing and a specific IgE and immunoblot assay.