Silicone granulomatous lymphadenopathy and siliconomas of the breast
R. Vaamonde1,2, J.M. Cabrera3, R.J. Vaamonde-Martín1,2, I. Jimena1 and J. Marcos Martín4
1Department of Morphological Sciences, Histology Section, College of Medicine, University of Cordoba, 2Department of Pathology, Red Cross Hospital, 3Department of Plastic Surgery, Red Cross Hospital, Cordoba, and 4Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain
Offprint requests to: Prof. R. Vaamonde, Department of Morphological Sciences, Histology Section, College of Medicine, University of C6rdoba, Avda. Menendez Pidal sIn. 14004 C6rdoba, Spain
Summary. In the present study, two histologicallydistinct cases of granulomatous lymphadenitis induced by dimethylpolysiloxane (silicone polymer) implants were studied. Four and six years after implant, and following surgery for breast cancer, painful homolateral axillary adenopathies were observed and biopsied. In both cases, histological examination led to a diagnosis of "silicone-induced granulomatous adenitis" requiring removal of implants. Foreign-body granulomas (siliconomas) were observed in surrounding tissue with no apparent rupture of implant capsules; however, visible retraction, hardening and scattered calcifications were noted . The presence of silica was revealed by incineration of a number of biopsied lymph nodes, a technique not hitherto used in the study of this pathology. A review is offered of the literature available. Histol Histopathol 12, 1003-1011 (1997)
Key words: Silicone, Siliconoma, Granulomatous
lymphadenitis, Mammoplasty, Silica
DOI: 10.14670/HH-12.1003