MICROSCOPIC IDENTIFICATION OF SILICONE IN HUMAN BREAST TISSUES BY INFRARED MICROSPECTROSCOPY AND X-RAY-MICROANALYSIS

Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) microspectroscopy has been employed for the identification of silicone fragments in human breast tissue. Tissue specimens were mounted on aluminum- or gold-coated microscope slides and analyzed by employing the reflectance capabilities of the infrared microscope. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive x-ray microanalysis (EDXA) were also used to establish the elemental composition and location of the foreign material. Infrared absorptions originating from the Si-O bond were easily identified at 1097 and 1017 cm-1, whereas the methyl group (-CH3) symmetric deformation mode arising from the Si-CH3 group was observed at 1260 cm-1. Being a nondestructive technique, infrared microscopy may serve as a highly suitable tool for the routine and accurate identification of silicone particles in various pathological specimens.