Does a silicone nasal bridge show up on X-ray?

Question

In 1997, I had nasal surgery in which a silicone implant was placed on my nasal bridge. I think my septal cartilage grafts dissolved over time, only on one side and now that implant appears as a bump. I have had facial X-rays and CT scans for other reasons and I don't see the silicone implant in my nose.

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

Very thin silicone implant may not be seen clearly on CT scan, in particular if an inexperienced person is reading it.. Regardless, if silicone is placed in the nose, it will not dissolve; bump that you have is very likely related to silicone, scar or combination of these. In person consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon, expert in rhinoplasty is recommended. Good luck.

Eric M. Joseph, MD · Answer

A silicone nasal implant may not be the easiest foreign body for a radiologist to find since silicone does not image well with X-ray. X-ray shows metallic and calcified foreign bodies clearly, but silicone not so easily. MRI might be the best imaging to see silicone, but in most cases, a silicone implant may be palpated by a rhinoplasty specialist during a nasal examination. And silicone nasal implants do not absorb over time. Hope this helps. Dr Joseph

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD · Answer

A silicone nasal implant will appear quite distinctly in a 3D CT scan. In a 2D scan you can see the radiopaque outline of the implant which often appears more like a space or a fluid layer between the skin and the bone/cartilage.

Does a silicone nasal bridge show up on X-ray?

Answers (3)