Use of site-enhancing-oil injections for bodybuilding tied to life-threatening complications: Study

The majority of patients reported painful nodular indurations and swellings in the injected muscles. Two patients displayed infection-related symptoms such as fever, erythema, and local inflammatory findings. In addition, one patient had a severe type of nonparathyroid hypercalcemia. Four individuals were eventually surgically treated. A total of four patients were operated on. Although all four patients reported symptom alleviation following surgical excision, some side effects, such as nonparathyroid hypercalcemia were not resolved.

To conclude, in severe situations, surgery may be the sole therapeutic option and should be undertaken as soon as possible. The researchers urge sportsmen and medical professionals to be aware of the dangerous adverse effects of these injections, as well as the possibility for systemic and life-threatening consequences.

Guidelines for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures are required. To raise awareness among athletes and medical professionals, educational methods should be used.

Reference:

Obed, D., Krezdorn, N., Harik-Chraim, E., Freystaetter, C., Radtke, C., & Vogt, P. M. (2022). Complications after liquid body contouring with site-enhancing oil injections. In Clinics in Dermatology. Elsevier BV. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clindermatol.2022.03.001