title: Periimplant Breast Gas at High Altitudes: Prevalence, Significance, and Possible Associated Factors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of our study was to confirm the suspected incidental nature of periimplant gas and characterize possible predisposing factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three hundred twenty-one chest CT examinations of patients with breast implants over a 2-year period were identified using a research database query. Scans were evaluated for the qualitative presence of gas, the implant type, and the presence of implant rupture, capsular calcifications, and axillary clips. Subjects' self-reported home state address was included as a surrogate for recent airline travel or travel from lower altitudes to our center located in Denver, CO, which is 1 mile (1.6 km) above sea level.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 321 study subjects, 55 (17.1%) had periimplant gas present. No subject had CT signs or clinical evidence of chest wall infection. Periimplant breast gas was significantly associated with residence outside Colorado (odds ratio [OR], 28.32; 95% CI, 10.60-75.70), silicone implant type (OR, 14.56; 95% CI, 5.61-37.81), and implant rupture (OR, 4.21; 95% CI, 1.74-10.18). Capsular calcifications were associated with gas in backward elimination analysis only (OR, 2.15; 95% CI, 1.03-4.50). No association was found between periimplant gas and implant location, patient age, or the presence of axillary clips.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Periimplant breast gas was relatively common in our patient population, and no association with infection was found. Our results suggest that the development of gas is related to atmospheric pressure, implant filler, and implant integrity. Gas around breast implants after airline travel or an altitude change can be safely dismissed in the absence of other associated findings.
authors: 1 Department of Radiology, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO.
authors: Matthew A
authors: MA
authors: Brown
authors: 2 Department of Radiology, National Jewish Health, 1400 Jackson St, Denver, CO 80206.
authors: Dipti
authors: D
authors: Nevrekar
authors: 3 Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO.
authors: Anna V
authors: AV
authors: Faino
authors: 2 Department of Radiology, National Jewish Health, 1400 Jackson St, Denver, CO 80206.
authors: Jonathan Hero
authors: JH
authors: Chung
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000531:Altitude; D001274:Atmospheric Pressure; D018427:Breast Implants; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003120:Colorado; D005260:Female; D005740:Gases; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D005740:Gases
keywords: altitude; breast; breast implant; periimplant gas