Axillary lipogranuloma mimicking carcinoma metastasis after silicone breast implant rupture: a case report

Silicone-gel-filled breast implants have been widely used for breast augmentation and reconstruction after mastectomy. However, silicone implants have some well-known complications, such as implant rupture, which requires surgical intervention. Dissemination of silicone particles out of the implant causes a granulomatous reaction, a phenomenon known as silicone granuloma, in breast parenchyma as well as axillary, breast and chest wall lymph nodes, which mimics breast cancer metastasis. However, lipogranuloma after silicone breast implant rupture has not been reported in the literature, although it is a common complication after mineral oil or liquid silicone injection. We present a case report of an axillary lymphadenopathy resulting from lipogranuloma after silicone-gel-filled implant rupture. Review of the literature suggests that this is the first report of a lipogranuloma resulting from implant rupture.