First observation of hopeïte and parascholzite in fibrous capsules surrounding silicone breast implants

We observed mineralization in 32.6% of the capsular tissue of 97 mammary prostheses recovered after surgical excision. Three distinct mineralogical phases were identified. The first was composed of common hydrated carbonate hydroxylapatite, a well-known physiological and pathological mineral. Hopeïte and parascholzite constituted the second and third phases. They are zinc and calcium hydrate phosphates that have not been observed previously in human tissues. Statistical analysis of the data showed relationships between the presence of mineralizations and the manufacturers on the one hand, and the presence of Dacron fixation patches at the surface of the prostheses on the other.