title: Silicone breast implants and autoimmune connective tissue disease.
abstract: There is currently no proven cause-and-effect relationship between breast implants and autoimmune connective tissue disease. However, there is a growing concern that immunological sensitization to silicone could potentially develop in certain susceptible patients and that this could contribute to the development of autoimmune connective tissue disease. In this article I review the current status of this potential relationship. The following areas are discussed: chemistry of silicone, potential mechanisms for an immune response, implant failure, epidemiological and antibody studies of autoimmune connective tissue disease, and recent information on certain neurological findings in a group of patients with breast implants. Current large-scale epidemiological studies should help to define any potential relationship between breast implants and autoimmune connective tissue disease.
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic Surgery, Wellesley Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Peters
mesh_terms: D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D018427:Breast Implants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003240:Connective Tissue Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D012828:Silicones / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D012828:Silicones