Breast magnetic resonance imaging: tips for the diagnosis of silicone-induced granuloma of a breast implant capsule (SIGBIC).

Complications resulting from the placement of silicone breast implants are becoming more frequent in our clinical practice. This is due to the increase in breast aesthetic surgeries at the beginning of the century, where breast augmentation using silicone implants was the main intervention performed. Generally, studies that discuss the complications of breast implants are restricted to reports of intra- or extra-capsular ruptures, contractures and haematomas. Currently, much importance has been given to anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) as a more severe complication related to silicone implants. Recently, granuloma formation induced by silicone particle bleeding from intact breast implants has been described when the free silicone comes into contact with the fibrous capsule of the implant. Few studies have demonstrated the characteristics and diagnostic keys for this entity. The objective of this study is to present cases of SIGBIC diagnosed in our service and to discuss the main findings that allow its diagnosis. Teaching Points • Breast implants induce fibrous capsule formation at the periphery of the implant. • Gel bleeding is inherent in all types of silicone breast implants. • Gel bleeding induces silicone-induced granuloma of breast implants. • Main diagnostic tips: heterogeneous mass, black-drop sign and late enhancement.

Application of Breast Ultrasound Elastography to Differentiate Intracapsular Collection from Silicone-Induced Granuloma of Breast Implant Capsule Complementarily to Contrast-Enhanced Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

BACKGROUND: To determine whether there is correlation between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings and breast elastography to differentiate seroma/hematoma from silicone-induced granuloma of breast implant capsule (SIGBIC). METHODS: Prospective study of 99 patients with breast implants submitted to breast MRI during the period from February 1 to May 1, 2017. Patients who present MRI findings of seroma/hematoma or SIGBIC were submitted to a complementary ultrasound elastography study to evaluate the correlation of the results. The criteria adopted for the diagnosis of granuloma by MRI were heterogeneous hypersignal in the T2-weighted sequences, late contrast enhancement, and black drop sign. Lesions that did not enhance after the use of contrast were considered as seroma/hematoma. By elastography, the results were considered positive for granuloma when presented as hard lesions, whereas seroma/hematoma presented as soft lesions. RESULTS: Of the 99 patients evaluated, 15 were included in the study. Of the 15 patients, 9 had solid intracapsular MRI masses, whereas 6 presented collections without contrast enhancement. The complementary elastography study showed correlation with MRI results in all cases of SIGBIC and seroma/hematoma, being elastography able to differentiate lesions from solid to cystic. CONCLUSIONS: Elastography of intracapsular masses in breast implants presented results compatible with those found by MRI to differentiate solid lesions from collections.