Chronic Silicone Embolism Syndrome

Abstract

Chronic silicone embolism represents a rare complication associated with silicone breast implants. With the increasing number of breast augmentations and reconstructive surgeries performed worldwide, awareness of implant-related pulmonary pathology is becoming increasingly important. This issue gained more public attention after the Poly Implant Prothèse scandal, which involved the use of cheaper industrial-grade silicone with a significantly higher risk of implant rupture. Here, we present a 54-year-old woman with a history of bilateral implant rupture, to highlight implant-related complications, specifically silicone migration into the lungs and other parts of the body. Ten years later, the patient experienced occasional episodes of shortness of breath for approximately 1 year, and imaging revealed multiple pulmonary lesions. Silicone particles triggered a florid chronic inflammatory reaction in the pulmonary parenchyma, rich in T-lymphocytes, histologically mimicking hematologic malignancy. Explantation of the breast implants was performed, and over the following 3 years, the patient's symptoms spontaneously subsided.