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Published on: July 1, 2013
Altered systemic serologic parameters in patients with silicone mammary implants
D Wolfram1, B Oberreiter, C Mayerl
1Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria.
Immunology Letters
|May 9, 2008
Summary
Silicone mammary implants (SMIs) may cause systemic side effects, indicated by elevated serological markers like circulating immune complexes (CIC) and procollagen III. Monitoring these markers is recommended for patients with SMIs, especially those with longer implant duration.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Biomaterials Science
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Silicone mammary implants (SMIs) are commonly associated with local complications like capsular contracture.
- The potential for SMIs to cause systemic side effects remains a subject of ongoing research and debate.
- Identifying serological markers associated with systemic effects is crucial for patient monitoring.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate potential systemic serological alterations in patients with SMIs.
- To correlate serological marker changes with implant characteristics, such as duration and capsular contracture severity.
- To identify biomarkers that may indicate systemic complications related to SMIs.
Main Methods:
- Serological parameters were analyzed in 93 patients with SMIs and 50 controls.
- Patients were stratified by capsular contracture severity (Baker scores I-IV) and implant duration (<1, 1-5, >5 years).
- Assayed markers included autoantibodies (cANCA, ANA, CL-Ab, RF, APA), complement components (C3, C4), circulating immune complexes (CIC), procollagen III, and sICAM-1.
Main Results:
- Elevated levels of circulating immune complexes (CIC), procollagen III, anti-polymer antibodies (APA), and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) were observed in SMI patients.
- These markers showed correlation with fibrosis development and implant duration.
Conclusions:
- A distinct set of serum parameters correlates with fibrosis and implant duration in SMI patients.
- Further research is needed to establish the predictive clinical utility and diagnostic accuracy of these serological markers.
- SMI patients with persistently abnormal serological markers warrant close monitoring by a multidisciplinary clinical team, including rheumatologists.
