Get Rid Of Scars Now: Do Silicone Gel Breast Implants Require Follow-Up MRI Scans?

Do Silicone Gel Breast Implants Require Follow-Up MRI Scans?

It’s estimated that over 1.25 million American women have silicone breast implants, so it’s important to be able to ensure the proper maintenance and screening of women with breast implants. Los Angeles plastic surgeons have relied on a number of tools to ensure the health of women with silicone implants, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s recommended method of periodic scanning using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology to detect “silent rupture” of an implant. This method was widely accepted by surgeons across the nation, but a recent study published in the March 2011 issue of the journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeryquestions the accuracy of this technique.

Understanding the Risks

Silicone implants are filled with an elastic gel that if ruptured, could leak into the breast implant pocket. Even if some of this silicone gel leaks from the implant, the implant itself may not change noticeably. This makes the detection of a leaking silicone gel implant more difficult, and is the reason behind the FDA’s guidance that women with silicone gel implants schedule regular implant screenings of their breasts. Screening methods for Los Angeles breast implant patients include ultrasounds and MRI scans.

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Women have a number of plastic surgery options in Los Angeles.� Breast reduction and augmentation have become popular options due to the advances in technology that make procedures more effective in achieving the cosmetic goals of women who want to enhance their breasts. But patient safety must remain the cornerstone of all cosmetic surgery procedures, and the FDA rightly has been cautious in its approval of breast implants and development of post-surgical recommendations.�

The Effectiveness of MRIs and Ultrasound

A number of studies were reviewed by researchers interested in evaluating the effectiveness of MRIs and ultrasound in detecting ruptured silicone breast implants. The researchers found that these screenings are primarily effective in detecting problems in women who have already experienced implant-related symptoms. In fact, women who have experienced typical side effects in line with breast implant leaks were 14 times more likely to have problems detected than women with no symptoms. This calls into question the diagnostic accuracy of MRI and ultrasound scans.

Protecting Yourself

It is still unclear how effective MRI and ultrasound scanning is in detecting ruptured implants within the first ten years of surgery. The study also concluded that more research needs to be conducted on the potential long-term health effects of silicone breast implants that rupture inside the body.

In short, this recent review of prior studies suggests that regular MRI scans may not be as effective as thought in detecting ruptures for patients who do not already have physical symptoms. If a woman is concerned that she might be experiencing symptoms of a ruptured implant, she should consult her surgeon for advice about the optimal method of scanning for this risk.

The board certified plastic surgeons at Marina Plastic Surgery Associates specialize in Los Angeles breast reduction. Their Southern California office is located in Marina Del Rey and serves patients from all over California including Beverly Hills, Santa Monica and Pasadena. More procedures include, tummy tucks, liposuction and facelifts.

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