Silicone-induced foreign body reaction and lymphadenopathy after temporomandibular joint arthroplasty

Eight patients with previously placed silicone temporomandibular joint (TMJ) implants were operated on again. Excised tissues from in and around the joint were histologically evaluated. In one case, a parotid lymph node was also examined. All specimens revealed fragmented, amorphous, refractile, but nonbirefringent, irregularly spherical foreign material consistent with fragmented silicone. Granulomatous inflammation and multinucleated giant cells were associated with the silicone material. These findings demonstrated that silicone may not be a totally inert material and that its biomechanical properties are not ideal for use in the TMJ.