Radiographic diagnosis of breast implant rupture: Current status and comparison of techniques

Rupture o f a breast implant is a recognized complication o f augmentation mammaplasty and reconstructive breast surgery. Due to concerns over the extravasation of silicone gel within adjacent tissue an d distant body sites, considerable attention has been given to the radiographic detection of mammary implant rupture. A metaanalysis comparing the accuracy o f various currently available imaging modalities was condgested to guide clinicians implant rupture. Advantage raphy, xeromammography, meted an d an algorithm sugin the detection of breast s and limitations of mammogultrasonography, MRI, and CT are outlined as well as some o f the most specific radiographic signs o f each with illustrative examples from patients evaluated at o ur institution. Results o f o ur retrospective analysis corroborated by a review of the most rec ent literature reveal that mammography supplemented with ultrasonograpjhy constitutes the most costeffective initial study, followed by MRI if these are equivocal. MRI is the most sensitive and specific study to evaluate breast implant rupture.