Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Case Reports
. 2016 Feb 19;4(2):e624.
doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000000618. eCollection 2016 Feb.

Silicone-induced Granuloma After Buttock Augmentation

Mansher Singh  1 , Isaac H Solomon  1 , Michael S Calderwood  1 , Simon G Talbot  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Silicone-induced Granuloma After Buttock Augmentation

Mansher Singh et al. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. .

Abstract

Liquid silicone is inexpensive, minimally antigenic, and likely noncarcinogenic. Its simplicity of use has made it popular as a soft-tissue filler in some parts of the world for patients seeking rapid soft-tissue augmentation of the face, breast, and buttocks. However, multiple reports describe the complications of silicone injections such as cellulitis, abscess, ulceration, and foreign body migration. We present an unusual complication of granulomatous reaction secondary to silicone injection for buttock augmentation, with a literature review of this entity and treatment options. Our patient was a 54-year-old woman who underwent bilateral buttock augmentation in the Dominican Republic using percutaneous injection of liquid silicone. She presented to our facility 1 year after this procedure with pain and inflammation of both buttocks. She was diagnosed with multiple silicone granulomas. Her symptoms completely resolved with a 3-week course of minocycline. Granulomatous reactions to silicone may occur months to years after the silicone injection. The incidence of such complications may be increased when nonmedical-grade silicone is used, and hence, when these procedures are performed in developing countries. Tetracycline antibiotics, especially minocycline, may be used to achieve sustained remission.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure: The authors have no financial interest to declare in relation to the content of this article. The Article Processing Charge was paid for by the authors.

Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Erythematous indurated lesions in bilateral buttocks 1 year after silicone injections for buttock augmentation.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
Biopsy from the buttock shows silicone granulomas consisting of variably sized vacuoles surrounded by scattered lymphocytes, eosinophils, neutrophils, and plasma cells. Giant cells are often present but were not identified in this biopsy (hematoxylin and eosin stain, 40x).
Fig. 3.
Fig. 3.
Resolution of symptoms after completion of 3-week minocycline therapy. Scar on the right buttock is secondary to biopsy for pathology.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Loustau HD, Mayer HF, Catterino L. Dermolipectomy of the thighs and buttocks to solve a massive silicone oil injection. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2009;33:657–660. - PubMed
    1. Sobanko J, Scheinfeld N, Kriegel D. Liquid injectable silicone: should you implement it in your practice? Cosmet Dermatol. 2006;19:534–536.
    1. Rapaport MJ, Vinnik C, Zarem H. Injectable silicone: cause of facial nodules, cellulitis, ulceration, and migration. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 1996;20:267–276. - PubMed
    1. Ellenbogen R, Rubin L. Injectable fluid silicone therapy. Human morbidity and mortality. JAMA. 1975;234:308–309. - PubMed
    1. Gurvitis GE. Silicone pneumonitis after a cosmetic augmentation procedure. N Engl J Med. 2006;354:211–212. - PubMed

Publication types

LinkOut - more resources