Severe migratory granulomatous reactions to silicone gel in 3 patients

In humans implanted with silicone gel breast prostheses, a mild foreign body response results in the formation of a collagenous capsule around the prosthesis. Although many such patients may show evidence of a microscopic granulomatous foreign body reaction upon examination of capsular material at e...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of rheumatology Vol. 26; no. 3; p. 699
Main Authors Teuber, S S, Reilly, D A, Howell, L, Oide, C, Gershwin, M E
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Canada 01.03.1999
Subjects
Adult
Arm - pathology
Breast - pathology
Breast Implantation - adverse effects
Breast Implants - adverse effects
Female
Foreign-Body Migration - diagnosis
Foreign-Body Migration - etiology
Granuloma, Foreign-Body - diagnosis
Granuloma, Foreign-Body - etiology
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Middle Aged
Prosthesis Failure
Silicone Gels - adverse effects
Skin - pathology
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Summary:In humans implanted with silicone gel breast prostheses, a mild foreign body response results in the formation of a collagenous capsule around the prosthesis. Although many such patients may show evidence of a microscopic granulomatous foreign body reaction upon examination of capsular material at explantation of a prosthesis, it is unusual to have large, palpable granulomas, even in the presence of rupture or leakage. Rare patients have had severe local inflammation and complications resulting from silicone migration to the axilla, arm, or abdominal wall. We describe 3 patients who had deforming granulomas after implant rupture, along with other consequences of silicone gel migrating down the upper extremity. Silicone gel, once it leaves the implant, is not biologically inert and in some persons can elicit profound pathologic responses.
ISSN:0315-162X