Radiologic features of polyacrylamide gel mammoplasty.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of our study was to describe the imaging features of polyacrylamide gel breast implants in women with and those without complications from mammoplasty.


CONCLUSIONS
Although polyacrylamide gel implants may mimic conventional implants on both sonography and MRI in women who do not have complications from mammoplasty, polyacrylamide gel implants have some distinguishing features. The imaging appearance of polyacrylamide gel implants is related to the technique of injection and whether there are any associated complications. The implants are usually in a retroglandular location. Mammography, sonography, and MRI can be used to evaluate short-term complications, although MRI appears to be the most sensitive. Common short-term complications include extravasation of polyacrylamide gel and secondary infection, which may be related to lactation. The long-term complications of polyacrylamide gel mammoplasty are unknown. Knowledge of the appearances of polyacrylamide gel implants in women with and those without complications from mammoplasty is useful in the radiologic evaluation of such patients.
Teo
Sze Yiun
SY
Department of Diagnostic Imaging, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, 100 Bukit Timah Rd., Singapore 229899. Teo.Sze.Yiun@kkh.com.sg
Wang
Shih-Chang
SC
D000180:Acrylic Resins / Q000009:adverse effects; D000328:Adult; D001941:Breast Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005549:Foreign-Body Reaction / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D016462:Mammaplasty / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods*
D000180:Acrylic Resins; C016680:polyacrylamide gels