Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 4, 2025
03:40
Point-of-Care Ultrasound for Peripheral Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Without Left Ventricular Venting
Published on: January 17, 2025
460
Recurrent Silicone Embolism Syndrome requiring VA ECMO
Nikhil Madan1, Umair Khan2, Anthony Martins3
1Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, Newark, NJ, 07112, USA.
Respiratory Medicine Case Reports
|February 3, 2022
Summary
Illegal silicone injections can cause Silicone Embolism Syndrome (SES), a severe lung and heart condition. This case highlights the dangers of illicit procedures, even when repeated by the same patient.
Area of Science:
- Medical Science
- Toxicology
Background:
- The illegal use of liquid silicone for cosmetic procedures is increasing.
- Silicone, once considered inert, is now linked to inflammatory complications like Silicone Embolism Syndrome (SES).
Observation:
- A patient developed SES after unlicensed gluteal augmentation with liquid silicone.
- The patient required veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation due to acute respiratory distress and cardiopulmonary failure.
- This marks the first reported case of the same patient experiencing SES twice after separate illicit silicone injections.
Findings:
- SES is a critical complication of unlicensed liquid silicone injections, leading to severe respiratory and cardiopulmonary compromise.
- Recurrence of SES in the same patient underscores the persistent risks associated with illicit cosmetic procedures.
Implications:
- There is a critical need for public education on the dangers of non-medical grade silicone and illicit body modifications.
- Healthcare providers must be vigilant in recognizing SES symptoms and consider the possibility of repeat illicit injections.
- The proliferation of counterfeit silicone products suggests a continued rise in SES cases, necessitating proactive medical and public health strategies.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Pulmonary Embolism III: Nursing Management
64
A pulmonary embolism occurs when a thrombus, amniotic fluid, tumor tissue, fat, or air embolus blocks one or more pulmonary arteries. Effective nursing management and patient education are crucial for improving outcomes and preventing recurrence.Nursing management starts with obtaining a comprehensive patient history, particularly noting any history of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Assess for clinical manifestations, including dyspnea, chest pain, crackles, heart murmurs, and signs of right-sided...
64
01:29Pulmonary Embolism I: Introduction
165
Pulmonary embolism (PE) occurs when a thrombus, fat or air embolus, amniotic fluid, or tumor tissue blocks one or more pulmonary arteries. These blockages originate in the venous system or the right side of the heart.EtiologyPE primarily arises from deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and other hypercoagulable states, such as inherited thrombophilias. Additional etiological factors include venous stasis, commonly seen in obesity, and endothelial injury from surgery and trauma. Less common causes include...
165
01:29Pulmonary Embolism II: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care
62
Diagnosing Pulmonary EmbolismDiagnosing pulmonary embolism (PE) involves clinical assessment and advanced imaging tests. The preferred diagnostic tool is the spiral (helical) CT scan or CT angiography (CTA), which uses intravenous contrast media to visualize the pulmonary vasculature and identify emboli.A ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) scan is an alternative for patients unable to receive contrast media. This scan includes both perfusion and ventilation scanning. Perfusion scanning involves...
62
01:27Pneumothorax-II
436
Pneumothorax is a medical condition defined by the buildup of air in the pleural space between the lungs and the chest wall. This accumulation of air can lead to partial or complete lung collapse, resulting in a range of clinical manifestations. Understanding the clinical presentation and effective management strategies is crucial for healthcare professionals in providing timely and appropriate care to individuals with pneumothorax.
Clinical Manifestations:
Clinical Manifestations:
436
01:21Acute Respiratory Failure-II
417
Type I Respiratory Failure, or hypoxemic respiratory failure, occurs when the partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) in arterial blood falls below 60 mmHg while breathing room air without a corresponding increase in arterial carbon dioxide levels (PaCO2). This condition highlights a significant impairment in the lungs' capacity to oxygenate the blood.
The underlying physiological abnormalities that contribute to hypoxemic respiratory failure include:
The underlying physiological abnormalities that contribute to hypoxemic respiratory failure include:
417
01:30Acute Respiratory Failure-III
372
Hypercapnic respiratory failure, also known as Type 2 or ventilatory respiratory failure, is a severe condition characterized by the body's inability to effectively remove carbon dioxide (CO2) from the bloodstream. It leads to an arterial CO2 pressure (PaCO2) exceeding 45 mmHg and a blood pH above 7.35. This situation indicates that the body's ventilatory demand, or the ventilation needed to maintain normal PaCO2 levels, surpasses its supply or the maximum gas flow achievable without...
372