Silicone implant incompatibility syndrome (SIIS) in a 57-year-old woman with unilateral silicone breast implant

Abstract

Since the 1960s, silicone implants have been used for breast augmentations, both cosmetically and in reconstructive surgery. Tissue exposed to silicone can react with multiple adverse advents. Autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants due to silicone exposure from ruptured silicone implants can lead to different interstitial lung manifestations predominantly with granuloma evolvement, leading to the so-called silicone implant incompatibility syndrome (SIIS). This case describes a 57-year-old woman with multiple lung infiltrations and a left-sided breast implant. The implant had been replaced twice, once due to implant rupture 36 years ago. The nodular infiltrates could not be related to infection, malignancy, interstitial lung disease, vasculitis or connective tissue disorder, and it was concluded that the nodular infiltrations were of inflammatory origin due to an autoimmune response secondary to the silicone implants (SIIS). After explantation, the patient’s symptoms subsided and her physical condition has remarkably improved.