Aesthetics research

PMID: 42040517

Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2026 Apr 24;14(4):e7676. doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000007676. eCollection 2026 Apr.

ABSTRACT

The rapid integration of generative AI tools into medical publishing has introduced new opportunities and risks, particularly in the creation of visual materials, such as anatomical illustrations. This study assessed the prevalence and characteristics of AI-generated facial anatomy images across peer-reviewed journals and online course promotional materials in plastic surgery and cosmetic dermatology. A total of 4734 manuscripts were screened, yielding 37 articles containing facial anatomical depictions. AI-generated content was identified in 10.8% (4 of 37) of relevant articles published in 2025, representing a marked increase from 2024, with all identified images demonstrating gross anatomical inaccuracies. A complementary web search of online anatomy courses also found that nearly half of the sites used erroneous AI-generated imagery in promotional content. These findings underscore growing concerns over the rapid and unregulated adoption of powerful AI tools for visual content in medical publishing, with regard to scientific misinformation, legal risks, and professional standards. In this special topic discussion, we describe how generative AI models function, outline their limitations, and explore the ethical, legal, and professional implications of their misuse. To ensure the safe and responsible integration of visual AI generators in medical publishing, the urgent adoption of clear standards and oversight protocols should be considered for anatomical and surgical depictions.

PMID: 42022466

Aesthet Surg J Open Forum. 2026 Mar 25;8:ojag046. doi: 10.1093/asjof/ojag046. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

Conventional ultrasound systems in aesthetic medicine are often bulky, single-hand operated, and poorly adapted to facial anatomy, limiting their practicality during injectable procedures. These ergonomic and workflow constraints have restricted the integration of ultrasound guidance into routine practice. The SibUS-In (safe injection by ultrasound) probe was specifically designed for aesthetic injections, integrating a high-frequency transducer onto the injector's fingertip to enable simultaneous palpation, scanning, and injection. This configuration restores 2-hand coordination and allows real-time visualization of facial structures while maintaining dexterity. In clinical use, the device combines ergonomic comfort, intuitive handling, and high-quality imaging that supports continuous vascular mapping and procedural control. The present article illustrates the practical application of the SibUS-In probe across different facial regions and procedural stages, highlighting its potential to facilitate ultrasound-guided injections. Further studies are warranted to evaluate quantitative outcomes and define standardized protocols for its broader clinical adoption. Level of Evidence: 5 (Therapeutic).

PMID: 42019553

J Ultrasound Med. 2026 Apr 22. doi: 10.1002/jum.70270. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Suppurative nevus comedonicus (SNC) is a variant of nevus comedonicus in which the characteristic features coexist with recurrent inflammatory lesions that clinically resemble those of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). We present the ultrasound characteristics of this entity and emphasize the value of high-resolution dermatologic ultrasound both as a diagnostic tool and for detailed lesion assessment in SNC. A retrospective, descriptive cross-sectional study was performed in patients with a clinical diagnosis of nevus comedonicus. Clinical and sonographic information was collected. All participants underwent ultrasound evaluation of the affected area, the contralateral region, and additional anatomical sites commonly involved in HS. Examinations were carried out using color Doppler ultrasound with high-frequency probes (18 and 24 MHz) and an ultra-high-frequency 71 MHz transducer. Severity was staged ultrasonographically in all patients using the mSOS-HS classification. Six patients met the inclusion criteria. In every case, ultrasound demonstrated features analogous to those typically observed in HS within the examined zones. However, in contrast to HS, clinical SNC lesions consistently followed a linear or segmental pattern and were exclusively unilateral. Ultrasonographic findings included follicular dilatations, pseudocysts, tunnels, dermal and subcutaneous inflammatory collections, and reduced dermal echogenicity accompanied by signs of local inflammation (hypervascularity). Overall, the ultrasound characteristics of SNC mirror a localized, segmental form of HS occurring in non-typical HS locations, strongly supporting a potential etiological link between the 2 disorders. This imaging information, not previously reported, may contribute to a better understanding of both conditions and aid in optimizing patient management.