Silicone granuloma

Silicone granulomas are a skin condition that occur as a reaction to liquid silicones, and are characterized by the formation of nodules.^[1]: 46

Silicone granuloma
Snowball like hyperechogenic axillary lymph nodes in a woman with silicone implants removed due to complications
Specialty	Dermatology

Formation of a granuloma is a common tissue response to a range of foreign bodies. Silicone can be directly injected into tissue as part of a cosmetic procedure or it can leak from silicone implants. The formation and consequences of silicon-induced granulomas is not well described or understood. The extent of damage that they cause is controversial.^[2]

Localization

• Lymph node: Granulomatous lymphadenitis^[3][4]
• Skin: Granulomatous dermatitis^[5][6][7]
• Penis^[8]
• Breast: Granulomatous mastitis^[9][10]
• Face: Granulomatous facial reaction ^[11]

Effects

Silicone-induced granuloma can be associated with fever,^[12] calcitriol-mediated hypercalcemia,^[13] reactive amyloidosis.^[14][15][16]

Treatment

Treatment of silicone granulomas and removal of unwanted silicone have historically been very challenging. Anti-inflammatory agents (e.g., oral corticosteroids, allopurinol, colchicine, isotretinoin, cyclosporine, imiquimod, antibiotics) may help treat the granulomatous inflammation,^[17] but do not address or remove the underlying source silicone material. Surgical excision allows for removal of the underlying source of inflammation, but is often deferred due to associated scarring.^[18]

More recently, a case of successful removal of injected silicone using microcoring technology was reported, providing a potential scar-less option for its removal.^[18]

Gallery

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See also

• Granuloma
• Skin lesion