The First Reported Case of Gluteal Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (ALCL)

Anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL) is a very rare but life-threatening complication that has largely been demonstrated to be associated with breast implants (BIA-ALCL). Patients are at risk of BIA-ALCL with the placement of breast implants for either cosmetic or reconstructive purposes, with the highest risks associated with textured breast implants. In the past decade, an increasing number of publications have focused on BIA-ALCL, but there has yet to be a reported case outside of the breast. Here, we describe a unique instance of gluteal implant-associated ALCL (GIA-ALCL) in a middle-aged woman. The patient received bilateral textured silicone gluteal implants only a year prior to her diagnosis of GIA-ALCL. The patient later presented to the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Department at our institution with ulceration at the site of her gluteal implants. Unfortunately, her condition deteriorated before explanation could be performed. Biopsy of a left lung mass demonstrated "hallmark" cells of ALCL ("horseshoe"-shaped nuclei). The diagnosis was verified by immunohistochemical testing that revealed expression of CD30, CD4, CD43, BCL6, Perforin, and Ki67 in a population of abnormal cells. The goals of this case report are thus to demonstrate that all patients undergoing implantation of textured silicone implants are at risk of developing ALCL and to provide evidence for the possible new diagnosis of GIA-ALCL. Level of Evidence: 5.