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Irish Journal of Medical Science (1971 -)

Published in:

01-03-2010 | Case Report

Pneumonitis caused by silicone gel following breast implant rupture

Authors: S. Paredes Vila, F. J. Gonzalez Barcala, J. Suarez Antelo, M. Moldes Rodriguez, I. Abdulkader Nallib, L. Valdes Cuadrado

Published in: Irish Journal of Medical Science (1971 -) | Issue 1/2010

Abstract

Introduction

There have been reports of pneumonitis associated with subcutaneous injection of liquid silicone, and of other pulmonary conditions due to cohesive silicone gel prostheses, but we know of no previous cases of pneumonitis associated with silicone gel.

Materials and methods

We report the case of a patient with a cohesive silicone gel mammary prosthesis in whom silicone-induced pneumonitis was diagnosed following radiological observation of pulmonary infiltrates and tests including transbronchial biopsy, which revealed the presence of silicone in alveolar histiocytes and small blood vessels.

Conclusion

Following removal of the ruptured prosthesis and a course of systemic corticoids, the patient progressed favourably.

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Title: Pneumonitis caused by silicone gel following breast implant rupture
Authors: S. Paredes Vila
F. J. Gonzalez Barcala
J. Suarez Antelo
M. Moldes Rodriguez
I. Abdulkader Nallib
L. Valdes Cuadrado
Publication date: 01-03-2010
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Irish Journal of Medical Science (1971 -) / Issue 1/2010
Print ISSN: 0021-1265
Electronic ISSN: 1863-4362
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-009-0369-6

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