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Summation Shadow Under Right Breast Implant

asked 1 year ago by Towson in Towson
Latest answer by Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Question viewed 799 times
Tags: scar tissue, Xanax

a summation shadow showed up where my scar is under the right side of my breat implant, it appears to be scar tissue. Is this normal? I have no pain. I was having an x-ray for knee surgery.

7 answers to Summation Shadow Under Right Breast Implant

+2

Summation Shadow Needs Follow-Up

Thanks for your question about a summation shadow on a radiograph (chest X-Ray). A summation shadow is an overlap of normal structures such as breast glands, or even an implant. If the radiologist is confident that a density is a summation shadow is a result of an overlap of normal tissues, then he/she would call it normal and recommend a routine (annual) follow-up mammogram. If the doctor is not sure, small spot compression views can be performed to help differentiate summation sh... more
Paul C. Zwiebel, MD

Denver Plastic Surgeon

www.pzwiebel.com

+1

Shadow on imaging of breast briefly notd by patient

This does not sound to be a major concern and most likeley will require a follow up xray to insure a stable appearance.
Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Summation shadow noted on screening X-ray not necessarily a concern.

As noted here by others, this is probably of no concern. However, the important word in the previous sentence in highlighted!  There must have been a reason the rqadiologist mentioned this--was it out of thoroughness, possible real concern, or was it to just "cover himself or herself?" While I can indeed understand the latter, particularly in this age of lawsuit-happy people, perhaps we can give the radiologist the benefit of the doubt, and take it for what it is: it was... more
Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS

Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon

www.mpsmn.com

+1

Summation shadows are usually nothing to worry about.

If an abnormality is detected on an xray that is worrisome, your radiologist might ask for additional views or recommend other treatment/evaluation.  Provided they've not asked you to do anything further, you can assume that they do not feel it necessary to worry.  To be safe, it is always my advice to question the radiologist who performed the test and/or ask the same of the physician who ordered the test to see what they recommend.
Brian K. Brzowski, MD

Salt Lake City Plastic Surgeon

www.brzowski.com

+1

Summation shadow is a normal finding on x-ray.

A summation shadow is a normal finding on chest x-ray when breast implants are present.  It simply means the radiologist is seeing two "shadows" intersect and combine to form a more dense area on the x-ray.  It has nothing to do with the scar of the skin most likely.
Richard H. Fryer, MD

Salt Lake City Plastic Surgeon
+1

Shadows on xray after having breast implants

The combination of breast tissue, scarring from prior surgery, and a breast implant can certainly produce a summation shadow on a plain film (such as a chest xray).  You should follow up with your primary physician or GYN, whichever manages your mammgrams at this point.  It may be time for a mammogram or ultrasound to confirm that what was seen on the chest xray is just a summation shadow and not something more concerning.
Carmen Kavali, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

Mammography and Breast Implants

Towson, Interesting question.  Summation shadows are usually normal (this is a radiographic image of materials overlying one another).  Nevertheless, This raises important questions:  Your age and family history help to decipher your risk of breast cancer.  This is a fear of most women.  If you are over 40 or have immediate family relatives with breast cancer, seek a mammogram.  If you are younger and otherwise healthy with no family history of breast... more
Jason R. Hess, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon

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