Fact-sheet: Extra-capsular breast implant rupture
Updated on 08/13/2020 at 3:34 PM
View all RADEOS cases associated with this fact-sheet
Definition
Rupture of the implant shell and of the peri-implant fibrous capsule: silicone leakage outside the fibrous capsule
Note: know the patient's history (previously ruptured implant, free silicone injection) before concluding on an extracapsular rupture
Ultrasound
- Hyperechoic focus with partial, progressive posterior attenuation in a snowstorm pattern (silicone within the breast parenchyma)
- Silicone injection appearing as anechoic rounded pseudocystic images, surrounded by this snowstorm pattern
The preferential locations are the upper quadrants and even the axillary lymph nodes
MRI
Preferred examination
Same signal as silicone on all sequences, hypointense on T1, hyperintense on T2, and hyperintense on the sequence dedicated to silicone evaluation
- Free silicone: signs of periprosthetic leakage
- Siliconoma: nodule of free silicone, usually periprosthetic, within the Breast, in the axillary region or chest wall, but potentially anywhere
- Migration of silicone within an axillary lymph node: silicone lymphadenopathy
Enhancement within the breast parenchyma caused by inflammation
Management
Implant exchange
Differential diagnosis
- Intracapsular breast implant rupture
- Lymph nodes, cyst, or nodule in case of poor technique