Silicone Embolism Syndrome Causing Altered Mental Status and Respiratory Failure After an Unlicensed Gluteal Silicone...

Unlicensed cosmetic procedures, which come at increased risk of infection and potential surgical complications, have introduced new challenges in healthcare. Physicians should be aware of presentations that may arise secondary to these procedures.

We describe a case in which a previously healthy, 28-year-old female presented with new-onset seizures and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in the setting of a recent cosmetic procedure with silicone injections to the gluteal region. The patient's hospital course was complicated by altered mental status, respiratory failure, rapid hemodynamic compromise, and eventual death.

In rare cases, one possible complication of cosmetic procedures is silicone embolism syndrome, which is characterized by pneumonitis, alveolar hemorrhage, and ARDS. The patient described in this report also experienced neurologic symptoms including seizure and altered mental status. This is a clinical diagnosis that relies upon thorough history-taking and detailed physical exam. Documentation on this phenomenon is limited, and medical management has not yet been standardized for this condition. Morbidity and mortality remain high.