Scleroderma and silicone breast implants

A 43-yr-old caucasian female presented in July 1992 with an explosive onset of diffuse scleroderma following general anaesthesia for orthopaedic surgery. Her environmental exposures included silicone breast prosthetic surgery and silica exposure, both preceding development of scleroderma. She was DR...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:British journal of rheumatology 1994-04, Vol.33 (4), p.397-399
Main Authors: ENGLERT, H. J, HOWE, G. B, PENNY, R, BROOKS, P
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Biological and medical sciences
Breast - surgery
Female
Humans
Medical sciences
Prostheses and Implants - adverse effects
Sarcoidosis. Granulomatous diseases of unproved etiology. Connective tissue diseases. Elastic tissue diseases. Vasculitis
Scleroderma, Systemic - chemically induced
Silicones - adverse effects
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Summary:A 43-yr-old caucasian female presented in July 1992 with an explosive onset of diffuse scleroderma following general anaesthesia for orthopaedic surgery. Her environmental exposures included silicone breast prosthetic surgery and silica exposure, both preceding development of scleroderma. She was DR5-negative, DRw52 positive. All currently available literature relating to breast implants and scleroderma is reviewed and the conclusion drawn that, for currently documented US data, there is no evidence to suggest that patients having had breast augmentation have rates of scleroderma higher than expected to chance alone. However the cause-effect relationship between silicone and scleroderma/other connective tissue disease requires, not just anecdotal reports, but a rigorously designed study.
ISSN:0263-7103
1460-2172