Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 10, 2026

Near Infrared Photoimmunotherapy for Mouse Models of Pleural Dissemination
Published on: February 9, 2021
Disseminated silicone granulomatosis in the face and orbit
Tiffany A Chen1, Carmel L Mercado2, Katie L Topping2
1Stanford University, School of Medicine, 291 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
Purpose:
To report a case of disseminated silicone granulomatosis presenting with ptosis, proptosis and vision loss.
Observations:
A 56-year-old female presented with ptosis, proptosis, and vision loss and was noted to have palpable, erythematous masses involving the orbit, face, trunk, and body. She had a history of bilateral silicone breast implants and cosmetic facial filler injections. Orbital biopsy demonstrated non-caseating granulomas with foreign-body giant cells and vacuoles containing material consistent with silicone. Removal of the patient's breast implants and systemic immunosuppression led to dramatic granuloma regression.
Conclusions:
Silicone can induce a severe, systemic inflammatory response and should be considered in the differential for facial and periorbital granulomas in patients with a history of silicone breast implants. Management of disseminated silicone granulomatosis is challenging and requires multimodal treatment with silicone removal and systemic immunomodulation.
Related Concept Videos
Atomic Orbitals
Molecular Orbital Theory I
Molecular Orbital Theory II
Hybridization of Atomic Orbitals II
Hybridization of Atomic Orbitals I
The Energies of Atomic Orbitals

