Concerned about ruptured silicone breast implant

If there are concerns about a silicone implant rupture, the best test will be an MRI. If this shows it is broken, the best will be to exchange it. 

There is little debate that ruptured silicone breast implants should be removed. The best test to confirm the rupture, besides having surgery, is an MRI. The test is 90% accurate in cases where rupture is suspected. Physical examination, mammograms and ultrasound are much less reliable.

The best test to detect silicone implant rupture (specially for the newer silicone implants) is an MRI.Usually a capsule (scar) forms around the implant after a breast augmentation surgery.  This capsule can be very thin or thicker in some cases.  The capsule generally contains the ruptured silicone material and prevents it from leaking into the tissues.  The older silicone gel implants are a lot less viscous (less cohesive) and at times can leak thru the capsule and into the tissues.  If this happens, it is a bit more work to remove the silicone that has leaked into the tissues.  This is not very common event.  Usually the implant material stays confined to the capsule and it can all be remove en bloc (together as one) without allowing any to leak out during the removal.I would recommend you see a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss your options of removal.Hope that helps.

Hi Jody, sorry to hear about what you are going thru. I would say, though, that the real test for a ruptured implant is an MRI, and if it suggests rupture, it's correct about 98% of the time. Mammo/ultrasound are not sensitive nor specific enough to really diagnose. You should see your surgeon, before or after the MRI, and be evaluated. If it is ruptured, it should be removed, and if done well, can be removed completely and another placed without significant leakage or silicone left behind. Best. 

I am sorry for your turmoils, but I think this is a good question to address since most plastic surgeons have to evaluate patients after trauma such as car accidents.
I am glad you have started your evaluation with a 3D mammo and ultrasound. I think your next step should be to have an evaluation by a board certified plastic surgeon. This is important for several reasons. First of all, a physical exam may be able to detect a rupture by compression on the implant. The physical exam will also determine if you have any masses, fluid build up or stiffness (contracture) which might be present with an implant rupture. In addition to a physical exam, the plastic surgeon may suggest you obtain an MRI of the breast. The MRI is probably the best test to determine if a gel implant is ruptured.
If an implant is determined to be ruptured by MRI, most implant companies have a limited warranty that will cover you as long as you had your gel implants in the United States after 2006. The warranty consists of two parts. If the implant is determined to be ruptured by MRI or at the time of surgery, the implant company will replace both implants. If the augmentation occurred within the past 10 years, they may also give you financial assistance to pay for any revisional procedures. 
On the issue of living with silicone leakage, most plastic surgeons would advise you to remove a ruptured implant.  It is true that there is no hard evidence linking silicone ruptures to autoimmune diseases such as lupus. However, long term exposure to a ruptured implant can create some problems for the patient. The breast can form calcifications which appear as suspicious white spots on future mammograms. This can make future mammograms more difficult to interpret. In addition, long standing breast implant ruptures can lead to breast contracture or hardness of the breast implant. Contractures can progress over time from mild stiffness, to severe stiffness, to upward displacement of the implant and constant pain. It's much easier to deal with a contracture at an earlier stage.
I think this is an important question and I hope the answer has been helpful. Again, I advise you to seek the guidance of an experienced Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. Good luck and I wish you the best!

Dear jodyshood,sorry to hear about your problem. A breast implant rupture can happen sometimes and it isn't something you should be overly concerned. The ruptured implant should be removed. It shouldn't cause any medical issues.Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MS 
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery 
Member, Am. Society of Plastic Surgery

Thanks so much for your question. Although it's not an emergency to have to replace ruptured silicone implants it is a good idea. No board-certified plastic surgeon would ever recommend leaving a known ruptured implants in place. Long-term health risks would outweigh any risks from surgery.   I would recommend replacing the implants when it fits your schedule. However I would do things in the next few months. Hope this helps. 

Thank you for your question.  It is recommended that any malfunction or broken device or implant be removed.  You should see a plastic surgeon for more advice.  Best Wishes!

All ruptured implants need to be removed. Sooner you do it better it is for you. You need to get in touch with a plastic surgeon real soon.

I am sorry to hear of your injury. Although an encapsulated ruptured implant may be contained current recommendation is to remove the ruptured implant. The reason is that we simply do not know what the effects of long term free silicone within a capsule in your body. Best to be safe and have them removed.