| Silicone granuloma | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Snowball like hyperechogenic axillary lymph nodes in a woman with silicone implants removed due to complications | |
| Specialty | Dermatology |
Silicone granulomas are a skin condition that occur as a reaction to liquid silicones, and are characterized by the formation of nodules.[1]: 46
Formation of a granuloma is a common tissue response to a range of foreign bodies. Silicone can be directly injected into tissue as part of a cosmetic procedure or it can leak from silicone implants. The formation and consequences of silicon-induced granulomas is not well described or understood. The extent of damage that they cause is controversial.[2]
Silicone-induced granuloma can be associated with fever,[12] calcitriol-mediated hypercalcemia,[13] reactive amyloidosis.[14][15][16]
Treatment of silicone granulomas and removal of unwanted silicone have historically been very challenging. Anti-inflammatory agents (e.g., oral corticosteroids, allopurinol, colchicine, isotretinoin, cyclosporine, imiquimod, antibiotics) may help treat the granulomatous inflammation,[17] but do not address or remove the underlying source silicone material. Surgical excision allows for removal of the underlying source of inflammation, but is often deferred due to associated scarring.[18]
More recently, a case of successful removal of injected silicone using microcoring technology was reported, providing a potential scar-less option for its removal.[18]
