Article Text
Summary
Since the 1960s, silicone implants have been used for breast augmentations, both cosmetically and in reconstructive surgery. Tissue exposed to silicone can react with multiple adverse advents. Autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants due to silicone exposure from ruptured silicone implants can lead to different interstitial lung manifestations predominantly with granuloma evolvement, leading to the so-called silicone implant incompatibility syndrome (SIIS). This case describes a 57-year-old woman with multiple lung infiltrations and a left-sided breast implant. The implant had been replaced twice, once due to implant rupture 36 years ago. The nodular infiltrates could not be related to infection, malignancy, interstitial lung disease, vasculitis or connective tissue disorder, and it was concluded that the nodular infiltrations were of inflammatory origin due to an autoimmune response secondary to the silicone implants (SIIS). After explantation, the patient’s symptoms subsided and her physical condition has remarkably improved.
- Biological agents
- Plastic and reconstructive surgery
- Immunology
Statistics from Altmetric.com
Footnotes
Contributors JS and CB treated the patient at the Plastic Surgical ward. JRD lead the treatment of the patient at the Pulmonary ward. SN reviewed and described all clinical pictures. This manuscript is written by JS, revised by all mentioned parties, unanimously agreeing with its submission.
Competing interests None declared.
Patient consent Obtained.
Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.