Silicone pulmonary embolism: report of 10 cases and review of the literature.
OBJECTIVE
To assess patient outcome and imaging findings of patients with pulmonary embolism of fluid silicone.


METHODS
Medical records and imaging examinations of 10 patients with respiratory distress after illicit injection of fluid silicone were reviewed. Population consisted of 8 male (6 male-to-female transsexuals) and 2 female subjects.


RESULTS
Average age was 29 years. Most common injection sites were gluteal and trochanteric. Respiratory symptoms developed between 15 minutes and 2 days after silicone injection. Five referred fever, 6 developed adult respiratory distress syndrome, and 2 subsequently died. Alveolar hemorrhage was demonstrated on pathological examination in 6, with silicone vacuoles in the lung parenchyma in 3. Computed tomography demonstrated peripheral ground glass opacities with interlobular septal thickening in all and peripheral airspace disease in 7.


CONCLUSIONS
Illicit injection of large volumes of fluid silicone for cosmetic purposes is associated with pulmonary embolism and acute alveolar hemorrhage and is associated with a significant mortality.
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA. crestr@gmail.com
Carlos Santiago
CS
Restrepo
Maddy
M
Artunduaga
Jorge A
JA
Carrillo
Aura L
AL
Rivera
Paulina
P
Ojeda
Santiago
S
Martinez-Jimenez
Ana C
AC
Manzano
Santiago E
SE
Rossi
D000328:Adult; D001132:Arm; D001706:Biopsy; D018427:Breast Implants / Q000009:adverse effects; D002081:Buttocks; D003357:Cosmetic Techniques / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000209:etiology*; D006615:Hip; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D019736:Prostheses and Implants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D012826:Silicone Elastomers / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013848:Thigh; D013909:Thorax; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D055815:Young Adult
D012826:Silicone Elastomers