Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
Implant Monitoring with High Resolution Ultrasound (HRUS)
Dr. Hartmann offers the latest in silicone breast implant imaging in the comfort on the office. This tool can be used to screen for implant rupture as well as check other specifics of implant health.
Silicone Breast Implants
Silicone gel implants are FDA approved for use in cosmetic breast augmentations and breast reconstruction. Because silicone is a more popular choice (95% in reconstruction and 87% in cosmetic breast augmentation), there is concern for a "silent" rupture. Unlike saline implants, silicone implants do not typically change volume when they rupture. The FDA recommends changing a ruptured silicone implant, and thus recommends screening with MRI. Studies have shown that few people actually obtain an MRI likely due to high costs associated.
Screening for Rupture
In 2012, Bengtson and Eaves showed that MRI, surgeon-performed HRUS, and radiologist-performed HRUS scans were all accurate in predicting silicone implant rupture in 29 of 29 imaged breasts (100%), as confirmed at the time of surgery in both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients.
Current FDA recommendations are as follows:
For asymptomatic patients, the first ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) should be performed at 5-6 years postoperatively, then every 2-3 years thereafter.