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Heterotopic Calcification of Saline Implants

asked 1 year ago by 447288anon in Texas
Latest answer by Steven Wallach, MD
Question viewed 755 times
Tags: saline implants, dangers, replacement

Doctor recently performed capsulectomy of 15 yr old saline implants, and replaced with silicone implants under the muscle in a new pocket. He said one of my old saline implants had heterotopic calcification and that this was very unusual for saline implants. Does this mean that I had bone growing on my old implants? Is that dangerous?

7 answers to Heterotopic Calcification of Saline Implants

+2

Calcification around Saline Implants

Yes, calcification can occur around saline implants. Calcification is a deposition of calcium (not bone formation) as a consequence of a chronic inflammatory process. The term "heterotopic" means in an abnormal location. There is no danger for you with this type of calcification, but they can create confusion on your mammograms. Calcifications can be a sign of cancer on a mammogram, though the pattern is usually different from what is seen with a calcified implant... more
Paul C. Zwiebel, MD

Denver Plastic Surgeon

www.pzwiebel.com

+1

Calcification of capsule

Calcification of the capsule can develop as a reaction of the capsule around the implants. This does not usualy cause a problem.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Heterotopic calcification of breast implants

In most instances this means calcification or a thin eggshell like collection of calcium deposits that form as par to of a chronic foreign body reaction to the implant
Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Heterotopic Calcification around Old Implant

It’s good that they were removed but this is not dangerous. The cause is a reaction by the breast capsule that forms calcium in the lining.
Robert N. Young, MD

San Antonio Plastic Surgeon

www.dryoungforever.com

+1

Heterotopic calcification

Heterotopic calcification is simply the accumulation of calcium deposits within the soft tissue. This can happen after prolonged inflammation, resolution of a hematoma, or in old fracture sites. Calcification of breast implant capsules does seem to happen more with silicone implants, but I have definitely seen it with saline implants.
David Bogue, MD

Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

www.drbogue.com

+1

Aberrant Calcification around Old Breast Implants

Regarding:  "Heterotopic Calcification of Saline Implants Doctor recently performed capsulectomy of 15 yr old saline implants, and replaced with silicone implants under the muscle in a new pocket. He said one of my old saline implants had heterotopic calcification and that this was very unusual for saline implants. Does this mean that I had bone growing on my old implants? Is that dangerous?" Not to worry heterotopic bone formation is nothing to worry about and is... more
Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Heterotopic Calcification around Breast Implants

I have seen calcification within the capsule around both saline and silicone implants.  This has never contributed to a problem in my experience either with implant integrety nor with interpretration of mammagrams.
John Whitt, MD

Louisville Plastic Surgeon

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