Possibilities of Ultrasound Examination in the Assessment of Age-Related Changes in the Soft Tissues of the Face and Neck: A Review

Abstract

Purpose. The ultrasound imaging of the soft tissues of the face and neck in the vertical position of the patient and determining the degree of participation of each of them in the age-related changes in the contours of the face and neck. Methods. In this review, we discuss the ultrasound anatomy of the soft tissues of the face and neck, the importance of ultrasound for planning surgical treatment, and the results of clinical studies that report ultrasound imaging of the soft tissues of the cervicofacial region. Results. Ultrasound imaging allows for the determination of the causes of age-related changes in the contours of the soft tissues of the cervicofacial region as well as determining the further tactics of surgical treatment. Ultrasound results help the plastic surgeon at all stages of treatment including intraoperative evaluation of the effectiveness of correction. Conclusions. A review of the literature has shown the need for wider use of ultrasound in aesthetic surgery as an important diagnostic procedure that should be performed with the upright position of the patient that allows for an objective assessment of the degree of participation of each of the tissues (skin, adipose tissue, muscles, submandibular salivary glands, etc.) in the formation of age-related changes in the face and neck.