Clinical features and literature review related to the material differences in thread rhinoplasty: Two case reports

Background: Thread rhinoplasty can trigger a reaction to thread material, which is a foreign body. We compared clinical features induced by absorbable and non-absorbable threads following thread rhinoplasty.

Case summary: Two patients who underwent different thread materials showed different clinical courses and different Hounsfield unit (HU) values in computed tomography. Patients with absorbable thread showed high HU values similar to a metallic material, and the HU value of inflammation was similar to vascular tissues with a lot of water (250). In the intraoperative field, absorbable thread materials and micro-abscesses were observed. In contrast, in the case of a non-absorbable thread, an object presumed to be thread was seen on the computed tomography (CT), and the HU value of inflammatory tissues was less than 100. In both patients, post-operative HU decreased to less than 100 and the clinical course improved. In both cases, histopathologic findings revealed foreign body granuloma associated with inflammation.

Conclusion: Absorbable threads were more aggressive and are more easily detected on CT.