Heterotopic Calcification of Saline Implants

Heterotopic Calcification. Let's first look at the definition of the words: Heteroptopic refers to normal tissue present at an abnormal site. Calcification means calcium (an egg shell is mostly calcium for example) not bone in which calcium is but one ingredient. Heterotopic calcification is not an unusual finding in implants over 15 or more years. It can be found with saline or silicone implants thought in my experience more common with silicone implants. It is not related with any disease process and cannot harm you though can feel uncomfortable as part of a capsular contracture, makes your implant feel hard, and your breast can be  distorted by its presence. 

Calcification around implants can occur with saline or silicone implants. It usually doesn't cause problems but it can make reading mammograms more difficult. When someone has extensive calcification and is undergoing a breast procedure (implant exchange or capsulotomy), I will remove all of the calcifications. This is accomplished by removing the entire capsule. 

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