CTICasesSilicone Lymphadenopathy
Imaging findings
Contrast-enhanced chest CT in a patient with silicone breast implants demonstrates stable, symmetrically enlarged internal mammary and axillary lymph nodes. The nodes are hyperdense, measuring 50-60 HU on soft-tissue windows. The implants appear intact, without macroscopic extra-capsular rupture.
Key takeaways
Silicone lymphadenopathy is a benign reaction to migrated silicone from breast implants. It occurs due to microscopic leakage (gel bleed) or silent rupture, where silicone particles are phagocytosed by macrophages and transported to regional lymph nodes. These nodes appear hyperdense on CT and can be stable for years, mimicking metastatic disease or sarcoidosis.
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