The purpose of this study is to demonstrate in a pictorial essay the most common types of breast implants, especially some specific landmarks and main anatomical features that could lead to misinterpretations, demonstrate in detail the microscopic anatomical characteristics of breast implants shell and to correlate the findings of both in vitro and in vivo through different imaging modalities: mammography, ultrasound and MRI.

The history of breast surgery began in the late 1800s. There are two kinds of breast augmentation: autogenous tissue and alloplastic implants. The use of autogenous tissue is reported to have begun in 1887 with part of a healthy breast transferred on a pedicle to reconstruct the other breast by Verneuil and continued in 1895 with the transplantation of a lipoma from the hip to repair a surgical defect in the breast by Czerny. In 1962 started the modern period of breast augmentation with the...

1.0 Lumen Number Single-lumen implants have a single silicone elastomer shell traditionally filled with silicone gel; Double-lumen implants have two shells either connected or patched together or floating freely one in the other. The inner lumen is gel filled and the outer saline filled implants were the common types. They also were made in less usual types such as triple-lumen, reverse double lumen or gel-gel double lumen. 2.0 Surface Surface characteristics, smooth (Fig. 1 , Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 ) or textured (Fig. 4...

The universe of implants is large, and the variation among them is substantial. Therefore, the normal aspects of breast implants not only through in vitro handling including microscopic approach, but also through different imaging modalities were demonstrated. Most radiologists are familiar with the appearance of silicone, but many may not be familiar with the specific landmarks and main anatomical features that could lead to misinterpretations by inexperienced radiologists.

F. A. Sulla Lupinacci; Sao Paulo/BR - nothing to disclose R. Leme; São Paulo/BR - nothing to disclose E. E. Françolin; São Paulo/BR - nothing to disclose A. I. Gomes; Sao Paulo, SAO PAULO/BR - nothing to disclose G. C. D. Guerra; São Paulo/BR - nothing to disclose N. R. L. Mágero; São Paulo, SÃO PAULO/BR - nothing to disclose Í. Cordeiro de Macedo Pontes; São Paulo/BR - nothing to disclose

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