if there is a possible breast implant leak what test should be ordered to confirm?

Question

My Doctor thought there may be a possible leak in my saline implants a few years back. I was told by my doctors patient cordinater/office manager well I had been waiting for my suergeon in the exam room. I was then told by my suergeon I had a saline breast implant leak . Should my Doctor ordered a ultrasound/MRI/blood test done before my emergency suergery two weeks after the implant leak was detected? It seems like maybe more should have been done before surgery besides a assumption.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

A leaking saline implant will ultimately go flat. No test is necessary as it will be obvious to both patient and surgeon.

Edwin C. Pound, III, MD · Answer

A leaking saline implant is fairly easy to detect because you will have a "flat tire" on that side very quickly.  You should notice a difference in volume between your breasts as the saline leaks out.  The saline is not harmful.  It is the same saline that was used in your IV when you had your implant surgery.  Your body simply absorbs it.  Now, instead of a full implant, you have a flat implant.  It is not an emergency to fix the problem.  You can schedule it whenever it is convenient for you.

Jeremiah Redstone, MD · Answer

Saline implant leaks are usually diagnosed with physical exam.  When a saline implant leaks it is detectable on physical exam--the saline leaves the implant and is absorbed by the body and the breast will appear deflated, sometimes the collapsed wrinkled implant shell is even palpable.  There is typically no need for additional studies.Silicone implant leaks on the other hand can be difficult to identify clinically and are then often evaluated with an MRI. I hope you have healed well and look great.

Hampton A. Howell, MD · Answer

Hi,Typically with a saline implant, if it is leaking, then it will go flat within a couple of days.  Sometimes it may not go completely flat for a while, depending on the nature of the leak.  If it is obvious on clinical exam that the saline implant is leaking, then further imaging or labwork to evaluate the leaking is typically not needed.  Take care, and good luck.Dr. Howell

Lisa M. DiFrancesco, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. A leaking saline implant will be obvious because the implant will deflate compared to the opposite breast. There is no test needed to determine a leaking implant.

Anh Lee, MD, FACS · Answer

It is pretty obvious when there is a leak in saline implants.  When the leak is large the breast will be significantly smaller.  With a small leak it can take weeks for the breast to get smaller but either way the patient will complain of the difference in size.

Robert L. Kraft, MD, FACS · Answer

As saline implants can have slow leaks, sometimes MRI and ultrasound are recommended to insure that you actually have a leak as opposed to an early capsular contracture or shrinkage due to loss of breast tissue in the aging process.  There are no blood tests which could reveal a leaking saline implant.

Jimmy C. Sung, MD · Answer

A leakage of an saline implant can be detected based on clinical exam.  Usually the side with the leakage will be significantly smaller than the other side.  An ultrasound exam can be helpful but its not necessary.  An expansive test like MRI is not indicated for a clinically significant saline implant leakage.

James McMahan, MD (retired) · Answer

Thank you for your question.  There is no specific test needed to detect a saline implant rupture.  Saline implants generally deflate quickly with a rupture so there is generally a dramatic change in breast size.  This is diagnostic of a deflation and no other tests are needed.

if there is a possible breast implant leak what test should be ordered to confirm?

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