Ultrasound for Ruptured Breast Implants?

Question

I went to a private clinic to have my boobs done 2 years ago, but now I may have a ruptured breast implant. Am I in any danger? Should I have the NHS or the clinic give me an ultrasound?

David Rankin, MD · Answer

Implant rupture is detected differently with a saline implant than a silicone implant. If you have a saline implant and have a rupture, this is usually apparent as your saline becomes absorbed in your body and your breast becomes smaller. There is no danger here but your implant will need to be replaced. If you think you have a ruptured silicone implant, you should have an MRI. Although an ultrasound may pick up a ruptured silicone implant, an MRI is the gold standard to detect this. If you do have a rupture, you will need to have the implant replaced with a new silicone implant. There are no studies that show you have any health risks. Check with your implant company to see if you have any insurance for implant rupture. Sometimes you do!

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

For Saline implants - its simple - just look in a mirror and see if you are flat on one side. For silicone implants prior to 2006, ruptures occur at rates of approximately 1-2% per year for the first ten years then markedly increases after that time period. A rupture or deflation of the implant may be experienced at any point after the initial augmentation; this complication may be increased by an under-filling or overfilling of saline solution into the implant, excessive compression, trauma, and other causes. (If the implant shell if not filled with the correct amount of saline, there may be a crease or fold in the shell which often leads to a rupture). You will be able to self-diagnose the need for an implant exchange (if using a saline implant) because if the current implant ruptures, the breast will shrink to approximately its preoperative size. A silicone implant that has a rupture is usually noted on a routine mammogram, Ultrasound, or MRI scan. A mammogram and/or ultrasound is not as sensitive at picking up ruptures as a MRI.  In either case although the situation needs to be corrected on a timely basis, it is not dangerous to your health from our current knowledge base. Silicone implants after 2006 are more cohesive and less likely to leak.

Sam Speron, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi,
Thank you for your question.
It depends on the type of implant you have. If you have saline implants, then an ultrasound is most likely not necessary as the saline will be absorbed by your body and your breast will appear smaller. This will not put you in any danger, but you will need to have the implant replaced. 
If you have silicone implants, an ultrasound may somewhat be able to detect a rupture, but the best way to tell is to have an MRI. The silicone should remain in the pocket that was created when you first got your implants. However, small amounts could leak outside of the pocket. Silicone has not been proven to cause any illnesses or cancer, but you would want to have it checked out just to be safe. You would also then need a silicone implant replacement as well.
If it is something you are worried about, I would definitely go see your doctor.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

First, it is unlikely that your implant has failed at 2 years. Why do think that it has? 
Second, ultrasound is relatively inaccurate at detecting implant failure unless there is a very large quantity of silicone that has spilled out of the implant.
MRI scans are reportedly 90% accurate (10% inaccurate) and are expensive. 
If you are having no problems with your implants, I would advise you to leave them alone. If they have ruptured, the capsule that forms around the implant will contain the silicone. Therefore you are in no danger. Discuss the situation with your plastic surgeon at your convenience. Many women have failed prostheses but don't know it.  They do not suffer health consequences.
Discuss this with your plastic surgeon.

Mark Sofonio, MD · Answer

Sorry to hear about your experience. MRI's are  the gold standard when it comes to detection of a ruptured implant.

Ultrasound for Ruptured Breast Implants?

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Answer: Ultrasound poor indicator of ruptured implant

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Ultrasound for Ruptured Breast Implants?

Answers (6)

Answer: Ultrasound poor indicator of ruptured implant

Answer: Ultrasound poor indicator of ruptured implant

Answer: Can an ultrasound detect a ruptured implant?

Answer: Can an ultrasound detect a ruptured implant?

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Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.