Silicone breast implant-associated scarring dystrophy of the arm

Silicone and autoimmunity

“…Another local side effect to implants is allergic reaction to either silicone or platinum, a catalyst used in silicone polymerization found in minute quantities. Several case reports have described granulomatous nodular cellulitis and scaring dystrophy following breast implants and other silicone prostheses [24–27]. Platinum is found in higher quantities in women with silicone breast implants [28,29] and in a single study, has been associated with delayed hypersensitivity to platinum in patients following silicone breast implantation [30].…”

Adverse reactions to injectable soft tissue fillers

“…177 To avoid the side effects that result from using large amounts of liquid silicone, ''bag-gel'' implants were introduced, mostly for augmentation of the breasts. 178 However, leakage of silicone may also occur through these bags, either by diffusion or after trauma (Fig 15), and silicone gel is capable of migrating to distant sites, where it may give rise to an inflammatory reaction and hamper clinical diagnosis [178][179][180][181][182] (Fig 16). It appears, however, as if most cases of migration is favored by gravity in patients with very lax skin and subcutaneous tissue, where the silicone implant has sagged downward distally from the injected site.…”

Cutaneous Silicone Granuloma Mimicking Breast Cancer after Ruptured Breast Implant

“…To prevent further migration, resection is recommended. Case reports describe patients with SG where hesitancy led to continuous growth and perforation of SG to the skin, chronic pain, neuropathy and scarring [11, 12]. It is not clear why some SG behaves more aggressively.…”