Silicone lymphadenopathy: a complication of silicone elastomer finger joint prostheses

Two cases of lymphadenopathy resulting from a lymph node foreign body reaction to silicone are presented. In each case lymph node biopsy was performed because of the clinical suspicion of neoplastic disease. Histologic study in both cases revealed no evidence of malignant disease, but rather demonstrated multinucleated giant cells in reaction to irregular fragments of refractile foreign material. The foreign substance was consistent in appearance with silicone. In each case a history of long standing rheumatoid arthritis and previous joint replacement with implantation of silicone elastomer prostheses was elicited.