MRI results - capsular contracture or muscle placement issue? (photo)

Question

I had breast implants placed under the muscle. Early in the healing process the right implant was higher than the left, but my surgeon did not seem concerned. One year later I had an MRI as the asymmetry was still there and I wanted to check for rupture. No rupture, but do these images suggest capsular contracture or some sort of surgical error with the right breast? Including the left breast image as well for comparison. My surgeon says the pectoral muscle is holding onto the implant and suggested that it won’t resolve without surgery.

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS · Answer

You have capsular contracture around your right implant and both implants are under your pectoralis major muscle. If your surgeon is saying that asymmetry is due to your muscle, stay very far away from that person. The only thing he's (she's) correct about is that you'll need another surgery.

Harry T. Haramis, MD, FACS · Answer

Capsule contracture is a clinical diagnosis- firmness of capsule around implant. This is a patient’s body’s response to the implant. While usually soft, in small percentage, the scar tissue/pocket can become firm and if severe distortion or raise the implant.

MRI usually cannot show capsule contracture, however, it does show muscle/ pocket tighter on the bottom of right side compared to left. This can make that implant appear higher.

A minor revision to release the lower pocket should restore better symmetry, provided enough healing time has passed.

Further discussion with your/a plastic surgeon is recommended.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

Without posted self photos of the breast results before and after and only the posted MRI results it appears on one side the muscle is much thicker so I must assume that that’s your dominant arm or hand that is used much more than the opposite side. It does not appear there’s a significant capsule contracture. Also, it appears implants are a different size? Is that true? Again best of virtual council with for better discussions only surgery revision can most likely correct the asymmetry but without posted before and after photos or virtual consultation, hard to determine exact plan

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MRI results - capsular contracture or muscle placement issue? (photo)

Answers (3)

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