Breast magnetic resonance imaging: tips for the diagnosis of silicone-induced granuloma of a breast implant capsule (SIGBIC)

Complications resulting from the placement of silicone breast implants are becoming more frequent in our clinical practice. This is due to the increase in breast aesthetic surgeries at the beginning of the century, where breast augmentation using silicone implants was the main intervention performed. Generally, studies that discuss the complications of breast implants are restricted to reports of intra- or extra-capsular ruptures, contractures and haematomas. Currently, much importance has been given to anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) as a more severe complication related to silicone implants. Recently, granuloma formation induced by silicone particle bleeding from intact breast implants has been described when the free silicone comes into contact with the fibrous capsule of the implant. Few studies have demonstrated the characteristics and diagnostic keys for this entity. The objective of this study is to present cases of SIGBIC diagnosed in our service and to discuss the main findings that allow its diagnosis. Teaching Points • Breast implants induce fibrous capsule formation at the periphery of the implant. • Gel bleeding is inherent in all types of silicone breast implants. • Gel bleeding induces silicone-induced granuloma of breast implants. • Main diagnostic tips: heterogeneous mass, black-drop sign and late enhancement.