Silicone in the liver: possible late effects

Abstract

We describe two renal transplant recipients who presented with clinical and biochemical abnormalities of liver function in whom liver scarring and silicone particles were identified in the liver by light microscopy. The presence of silicon in the particles was confirmed by x-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy. In one patient liver abnormalities were first noted more than two years after haemodialysis was discontinued and in a second patient abnormalities were still present more than four years after successful kidney transplantation. No other specific cause for the chronic liver abnormalities was determined and we consider that these may be related to the presence of silicone degradation products in the liver. Other patients haemodialysed using a siliconised peristaltic blood pump insert system may also be a risk of developing similar late complications.