Dyspnea Associated with Silicone Breast Implant Rupture

Abstract

We present a case of a 48-year-old woman with a significant history of atopy. She presented with a 1-month history of dyspnea on exertion. Pulmonary function testing was normal, with no obstruction or reversibility post-bronchodilation. Bilateral breast implant rupture was detected on further investigation for a left upper lobe nodule, and the patient underwent bilateral implant removal. There was an improvement in her respiratory symptoms. Systemic symptoms, labeled as "Autoimmune/Inflammatory Syndrome Induced by Adjuvants," are known to be associated with breast implants, with 14% of women in a cohort developing autoimmune disease secondary to their implants. An improvement in symptoms has been demonstrated following breast implant removal.

Silicone implant incompatibility syndrome: Mimicking metastases on fluoro-deoxy-glucose positron emission tomography–computed tomography in a treated case of carcinoma breast

“…[ 1 2 3 ] There have been case reports on patients with silicone breast implants presenting with type IV delayed hypersensitivity reaction. [ 14 ] Histologically, there is chronic inflammation showing granulation tissue and foreign-body reaction[ 15 ] which in this case, has been revealed on biopsy of the lymph node, subcutaneous, and intramuscular deposits.…”

Measuring Platinum Levels in Hair in Women with Silicone Breast Implants and Systemic Symptoms

“…[36][37][38][39][40] A case series and one case study identified symptoms of platinum salt hypersensitivity in silicone breast implant recipients, and attributed the symptoms to platinum present in the silicone breast implants. 41,42 However, this case series was criticized due to a lack of providing causal evidence supporting their conclusion. 43 Recently, a company in the Netherlands, named Hair Diagnostix, started offering a commercial platinum hair screening test to women with silicone gel-filled breast implants.…”

“…36–40 A case series and one case study identified symptoms of platinum salt hypersensitivity in silicone breast implant recipients, and attributed the symptoms to platinum present in the silicone breast implants. 41,42 However, this case series was criticized due to a lack of providing causal evidence supporting their conclusion. 43…”