Understanding incidence, prevalence, risk factors and causes of breast implants failure. Showing the typical MR imaging appearances of the various implants types in patients with clinical signs or symptoms suggesting breast implant rupture. Explaining the typical MR features of intra- and extra-capsular rupture in patients who underwent breast surgery either for cancer or aesthetic reasons. Underlining the most common pitfalls of MR imaging to avoid misdiagnosis.

HISTORY OF MAMMOPLASTY Breast implants have been used for about four decades for both reconstructive and aesthetic purposes. For the first time, in 1854, Velpeau described some techniques which modified and corrected altered shapes and sizes of the breast. Later in 1889 Gersuny used local paraffin injections to increase breast volume, and even though it could be noted a cosmetic amelioration, there were numerous complications such as solid masses- granulomas, cutaneous erosion and cutaneous fistulas, migration, blindness or pulmonary embolism. In 1895, Czerny trasplanted a...

A CASE-BASED APPROACH The study material for this report consists ofa cohort ofwomen with single-lumen or double-lumen implants who underwent between January 2008 and July 2010either one or two MRIs before removal the implants. The MRI examination was performed at one of two MRI centres of our Hospital. All scanners (1,5 T) were equipped with a dedicated breast coil, which has been shown to increase both the sensitivity and specificity of MRI. At our institution patients with breast prostheses are examined with T1-weightedFast low Angle...

Mammography, ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography have all been used to evaluate silicone breast implant rupture. Eachmodality has specific advantages that may make a particular modality the study of choice for an individual patient. Magnetic resonance imaging has shown the highest sensitivity and specificity for the evaluation of the integrity of the breast implants. The MR examination must include pictures in at least two planes and silicone specific sequences to look for extracapsular silicone. In our experience, MRI can detect intracapsular and extracapsular...

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