BREAST IMPLANT RUPTURE - DIAGNOSIS WITH US

PURPOSE: To characterize sonographic criteria for the detection of implant rupture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred nineteen symptomatic women (221 silicone implants) were evaluated with ultrasound (US) over 11 months to detect implant rupture. Fifty-nine breast prostheses in 31 women were surgically removed. RESULTS: Five sonographic findings associated with rupture were identified: echogenic noise, low-level homogeneous echoes within the implant, echogenic lines coursing within the implant, a contour bulge of the implant, and peri-implant fluid accumulations. The most useful finding in the detection of implant rupture was low-level homogeneous echoes, which were associated with 55% of ruptured implants and 16% of intact implants. This was statistically significant, achieving a 55% sensitivity and 84% specificity for the detection of implant rupture. Nine of 22 ruptured implants (41%) displayed none of the described criteria. CONCLUSION: US may be useful to detect implant rupture; however, a larger prospective study is necessary for adequate evaluation.