What is the best diagnostic scan to find out if silicone implants have ruptured and if the silicone has migrated? (photos)

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the best diagnostic test to answer the questions that you are asking.

Silicone implants are not the only source for silicone in our bodies. If you have the old gel implants, they do have the potential for leaking and might need to be removed. I would start with a mammagram, with possible ultrasound, to see where the gel is located. If needed, then get a MRI. It would be very unlikely for the silicone gel from implants to travel to your lungs without major trauma. However, we do see silicone gel, from time to time, in lymph nodes, especially in women with ruptured gel implants. Detoxification programs can be very helpful in general for most adults, however, silicone gel from implants is not usually removed without surgery.

Breast
implant rupture occurs when the outer shell of an implant develops a hole or
tear. It occurs in about 10% of breast implants.



The
rupture of saline implants often manifests in the deflation of the affected
breast as the saline leaks out and is absorbed by the body. The rupture of silicone
implants is often silent (asymptomatic), however, some patients will complain
of a change in shape, lumpiness, or new onset pain on the side of
the rupture. Silicone that leaks out of the shell is typically contained within
the breast capsule. Silicone can cause local reactions (granulomas), however,
there is no evidence that it can migrate distally or cause any systemic
symptoms.



Bioenergenic
testing is performed by transmitting a current between an electrode held in the
hand and a separate electrode pressed against the skin at another point and
measuring the resistance between the two points. This resistance measured
is influenced by distance between the points, the moisture (sweat) on the skin
surface, and how hard the probe is pressed into the skin. It is subject to
significant operator influence and inter-measurement variation. Although
bioenergetics testing has been promoted in one form or another since the
1950’s, there have been no scientific studies that demonstrate that the
resistance values can be used to diagnose any medical condition.



The
best non-invasive test for implant rupture is an MRI. It has an accuracy of 92%, a sensitivity of
89%, and a specificity of 97% at detecting implant rupture. In real world
terms, if a rupture is seen on MRI the implant is likely ruptured (94%). There
are some ruptures, however, that are missed by MRI (5%).



Consultation with a plastic surgeon would be the next best
step.