Imaging diagnostics with breast implants


As part of your breast implants surgery aftercare, it is important that you undergo regular check-ups with your surgeon (at least once a year). Other breast examinations, such as self-examination and common imaging diagnostics, are recommended as routine tests for early detection of breast cancer, which is extremely important for a favourable prognosis. Make sure to consult your physician and follow the recommendations of your local health organisation.

 

Imaging diagnostics methods for the breast

Various methods can be used to examine the breast and the breast implants. These tests have two main objectives:

  1. Early detection of breast cancer – modern imaging techniques such as sonography, MRI or computer tomography (CT) help find tumors at an early stage.[i]
  2. Examine the health and integrity of your breast implants – whether as periodic check-up or in any case of possible complications (e.g. capsular contracture, suspected rupture of the implant shell, etc.). If you suspect any complications, make sure to immediately consult your physician.

Imaging procedures such as mammograms (using X-rays), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or ultrasound screening (US) can be used for both purposes.

 

Imaging diagnostics and breast implants

In general, all imaging diagnostics can be performed with breast implants. However, special considerations and methods may be required. Silicone implants can interfere with some screening techniques and require adjustments and knowledge. With other diagnostic methods, such as biopsies and punctures, there is the risk of damaging the implant in a way that will ultimately require implant removal.
It is therefore highly important to alert the treating medical staff / technician about your implants.

Mammogram imaging with breast implants

Mammogram can be, and are regularly performed, on women with breast implants. 

The mammogram test is performed using a machine that compresses the breast between two plates and takes an x-ray image of the flattened breast. The flattening allows for a clearer image and a lower radiation dose. 

In woman with breast implants, a technique called the Eklund technique is applied, which consists of slightly pulling the mammary gland forward while pushing the implant against the chest wall, to achieve a better compression and hence a better view of the breast tissue. 

The images taken with the Eklund technique are called implant displacement (ID) views. Women with natural breast tissue usually have 4 images of their breast tissue taken, while women with breast implants usually have between 4 and 8 images.

Implant displacement views are harder to perform and can be more uncomfortable to some women. For this reason it is very important that you find a well-trained professional in this technique.

Read about B-Lite® implants unique advantages for mammograms below.

Your take aways:

  • Ask your physician to refer you to a clinic where radiologists have experience in performing and interpreting mammograms of women with breast implants.
  • Notify the clinic that you have breast implants.
  • Notify the technician that you have breast implants prior to the mammogram.
  • Call your surgeon if you notice any lingering discomfort after your mammogram, your surgeon may want to check that your implants remain intact. Ruptures are very rare, but no discomfort should be ignored.

 

MRI imaging with breast implant

MRIs employ powerful magnets which produce a strong magnetic field that allows to create an image of the various tissues, based on their magnetic behaviors. 2

MRI examinations are considered the gold standard both for detecting implant shell damage and as screening tests for breast cancer (although false-positive or false-negative diagnoses may occur).

Breast implants do not have a negative influence on MRI tests and the magnetic field has no negative influence on the breast implants. All POLYTECH breast implants and body-contouring implants are MRI compatible.

Important:MRI examinations are contra-indicated for patients having certain breast expanders, used in two-stage breast reconstruction after mastectomy. Make sure you inform the physician or technician if you carry a breast expander. See more on breast expanders below.

 

Ultrasound screening test with breast implants

The ultrasound scanner uses a transducer, which can both emit ultrasound waves, as well as detect the ultrasound echoes reflected back, to generate two-dimensional images of tissues and organs. 3

Ultrasound imaging can only examine the tissue in front of the implant (and cannot examine the areas behind a traditional silicone implant). However, when the implant is placed under the mammary gland or the pectoral muscle, which are the most common positioning choices, examination of the breast tissue is still possible.

B-Lite® implants offer better shell definition and less artifacts, compared to traditional implants, thanks to the proprietary filling formula, consisting of silicone gel enhanced with microspheres (read about B-Lite® implants unique advantages for ultrasound below).

B-Lite® lightweight breast implants and imaging diagnostics

Our B-Lite® implants are designed to provide unique advantages in imaging diagnostics compared with traditional silicone implants, as the B-Lite® unique gel is more translucent than regular silicone gel:

  • In Mammography the B-Lite® gel is more translucent than silicone resulting in greater clarity and transparency.4
  • In Ultrasound imagery B-Lite® have less artefacts and better shell definition when compared to traditional silicone implants.5
  • B-Lite® implants are 100% MRI compatible.

Imaging diagnostics and breast expanders

Not familiar with breast expanders? Read more here

Similar to breast implants, expanders can interfere with screening techniques and certain techniques may damage the expanders.

POLYTECH expanders with a remote valve are made from non-ferromagnetic materials, and therefore do not interfere with MRI technology.

Patients having expanders with integrated valves must not undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations as there may be an interference with magnetic fields which may impair patients’ health and lead to false MRI results.

Patients who have an expander with integrated valve and permanent magnet must inform the corresponding physician and technician without fail of this magnetic valve, before undergoing an MRI examination. Check your implant passport and show it to your physician and the technician performing the examination. Contact POLYTECH with your expanders details at hand, in case of doubt.

 

1) Ganott, M.A., Harris, K.M., Ilkhanipour, Z.S., Costa-Greco, M.A. (1992) Augmentation mammoplasty: normal and abnormal findings with mammography and US. RadioGraphics 12, 281-295; Barloon, T.J., Young, D.C., Bergus, G. (1996) The role of diagnostic imaging in women with breast implants. American Family Physician 54, 2029-2036; Eklund, G.W., Busby, R.C., Miller, S.H., Job, T.S. (1988) Improved imaging at the augmented breast. American Journal of Roentgenology 151, 469-473. Greenstein, O.S. (2000) MR imaging of the breast. Radiologic Clinics of North America 38(4), 899ff; Belli, P., Romani, M., Magistelli, A., Mossetti, R., Pastore, G., Constantini, M. (2002) Diagnostic imaging of breast implants: role of MRI. RAYS 27(4), 259-277.
2) https://www.nibib.nih.gov/science-education/science-topics/magnetic-resonance-imaging-mri#:~:text=MRIs%20employ%20powerful%20magnets%20which,pull%20of%20the%20magnetic%20field.
3) 

https://www.nibib.nih.gov/science-education/science-topics/ultrasound#:~:text=When%20used%20in%20an%20ultrasound,tissue%20or%20tissue%20and%20bonehttp