A new method to quantify the effect after subcutaneous injection of lipolytic substances

Background: Increasing numbers of patients request lipolytic injection therapy for aesthetic indications. However, only the clinical results of these therapies have been published to date. In most cases, pre- and postprocedure photographs and measurements have been presented. As with every other medical procedure, it is necessary to ensure that the results of lipolytic injections are quantified on an objective and scientific basis with comparable data. Methods: In the past, the size of fat tissue could not be measured properly with conventional ultrasound systems. High-resolution, real-time three-dimensional (RT-3D) ultrasound is a fairly new method for measuring the volume of tissue. Therefore, this study aimed to measure the interscapular fat bodies of New Zealand rabbits before and after lipolytic therapy with Lipostabil®, phosphatidycholine and orciprenalin (Alupent®). Results: The ultrasound-controlled injection of the lipolytic substances into the interscapular fat body ensured a precise injection. The RT-3D ultrasound data were compared with the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurements performed at the same time. The greatest decrease in volume, up to 44%, was measured with orciprenalin (Alupent®). There was a significant correlation between the data from ultrasound imaging and MRI. Conclusion: The data suggest that RT-3D ultrasound imaging could be a simple and fast method for proving the effects on volume size after lipolytic procedures. Of the three investigated substances, orciprenalin (Alupent®) showed the highest lipolytic effect in our animal model. © 2008 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.