A preliminary report on the clinical experience with AlloDerm in breast reconstruction and its radiologic appearance

Human acellular tissue matrix (AlloDerm) use in breast reconstruction has become popular. Traditionally used for prosthesis coverage, it is also used in our practice as a filler for lumpectomy defects and a contouring device. However, no report presently exists that describes its appearance on oncologic surveillance studies. We performed a retrospective review of all charts of patients having undergone cancer-related breast reconstruction using AlloDerm as a filler at a single institution between 2005 and 2009. Postoperative mammograms and dynamic contrast enhanced breast magnetic resonance imaging were reviewed with a dedicated breast imager. Sixteen women underwent surgery involving placement of an AlloDerm roll in the breast. Postoperative films were unavailable for two of them. Of the remaining 14 patients, nine had postoperative mammograms only, three had postoperative dynamic contrast enhanced breast magnetic resonance imaging only, and two patients had both. In all cases, evaluation of the postoperative images was not affected by the presence of AlloDerm. In our short-term, retrospective experience, we find that a thorough radiographic evaluation of the breast tissue remains possible when AlloDerm rolls are used in reconstruction.