Pathology of Silicone Granuloma (Siliconoma)

Dr Sampurna Roy MD      

Silicones are easily detected in tissue as small round to irregular droplets of amorphous refractile non-polarising material.

Thick sections (10-30 micrometer thick) prevent loss of silicone droplets during tissue processing.

The silicones can be detected by adding stamp pad ink to the mounting medium.

Non-Koehler, phase contrast and darkfield microscopy help to highlight the silicones.

Granuloma as a reaction to silicone is mainly found after extracellular rupture of an implant and after injections with silicones.

These granulomas may present as a tumour some distance from the implant.

Microscopic patterns :

- In case of injection with liquid silicone - There are numerous cystic spaces and vacuoles partly filled with silicones surrounded by a thin layer of fibrous tissue.

Foreign body giant cell reaction is minimal.

- In case of extracapsular rupture - There are many giant cells of the foreign body type often containing silicones and foam cells together with lymphocytes.

The role of silicone granulomas in recurrent capsular contracture: a review of the literature and an approach to management.

Neck lymphadenitis due to silicone granuloma after mammary implants.

[Breast silicone granulomas].

Cutaneous manifestation of silicone dissemination from a PIP implant--a case for prophylactic explantation?

Silicon granuloma mimicking lung cancer.

Cutaneous silicone granuloma mimicking breast cancer after ruptured breast implant.

Silicone granuloma.

Pathology of silicone leakage from breast implants.

Histologic features of breast capsules reflect surface configuration and composition of silicone bag implants.

Light microscopy techniques for the demonstration of silicone gel.

Histologic changes and silicone concentrations in human breast tissue surrounding silicone breast prostheses.

Silicone granulomas: report of three cases and review of the literature.