[A serious complication due to liquid silicone injection in the legs for cosmetic purpose]

Liquid injectable silicone has been used to increase volume in determined cutaneous districts, particularly in aesthetical reconstructive surgery. Although considered biologically inert for a long time this substance produced various complications as granulomatous foreign body reaction (siliconomas), secondary limphedema, tissue destruction and lethal embolism. A 35-year-old Caucasian woman came to our department with erithema and edema on the right leg, fever and chills. A thorough examination of the patient's history revealed injection of liquid silicone 7 years before for cosmetic volume increase of both legs. A closer observation revealed a small fistulous element from which came out white-yellow puruloid material. Antibiotic therapy and drainage of the abscess were undertaken. Within few days of treatment erithema and swelling essentially improved and the patient was discharged. After two months she came back to our department due to the same disease on her left leg that we treated with the therapy previously used. We highlight the long time, 7 years, elapsed between liquid silicone injection and onset of cutaneous symptoms.