Autoimmune connective tissue disease and connective tissue disease-like illnesses after silicone gel augmentation mammoplasty

Abstract

Since first reported in 1982, published anecdotal reports have appeared with increasing frequency of patients in whom autoimmune connective tissue diseases developed after mammary augmentation with silicone gel-filled elastomer envelope-type prostheses. Although scleroderma has been reported most often, other diagnoses have included systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren's syndrome, and mixed connective tissue disease. Other patients have ill-defined connective tissue-like illnesses often referred to as "human adjuvant disease." The occurrence of dermatomyositis and polymyositis after silicone breast implants appears to be infrequent. We report two new cases of dermatomyositis after silicone exposure. In addition, a comprehensive review of the literature pertaining to rheumatic disease and silicone gel augmentation mammoplasty is presented to provide some perspective on this highly complicated and controversial subject.