Mammography Diagnostic Rupture of saline implants is usually clinically evident because the saline is resorbed by the body over a period of days and the patient experiences a change in breast size and shape [16,17]. Although diagnostic mammography may be useful in patients with suspected saline implant rupture and equivocal clinical findings, diagnostic mammography is typically not performed as the initial imaging study in patients <30 years of age. MRI Breast Without and With IV Contrast There is no role for MRI without and with IV contrast in the evaluation of saline implants [16]. MRI Breast Without IV Contrast There is no role for MRI without IV contrast in the evaluation of saline implants [16]. US Breast In cases of saline implant rupture, the collapsed implant shell is visible by US, and for patients <30 years of age, an US is helpful as the initial examination. If a patient is uncertain which type of implant is in place, the implant type can be determined at US by examining the implant at its margin and witnessing the effect the implant has on surrounding normal tissue [18]. Because the speed of sound through silicone (997 m/sec) is slower than that through soft tissues and saline (1,540 m/sec), it will take longer for sound waves to travel through a silicone implant compared with through a saline-filled implant, causing a step-off appearance in silicone implants, which is not seen in saline implants [18]. Variant 3: Adult 30 to 39 years of age. Female or transfeminine. Evaluation of saline breast implants. Clinical examination equivocal for implant rupture. Initial imaging. Digital Breast Tomosynthesis Diagnostic For patients 30 to 39 years of age, DBT may be complementary to US. Rupture of saline implants is usually clinically evident because the saline is resorbed by the body over a period of days and the patient experiences a change in breast size and shape [16,17]. However, DBT may be useful in patients with suspected saline implant rupture and equivocal clinical findings.
Breast Implant Evaluation. Mammography Diagnostic Rupture of saline implants is usually clinically evident because the saline is resorbed by the body over a period of days and the patient experiences a change in breast size and shape [16,17]. Although diagnostic mammography may be useful in patients with suspected saline implant rupture and equivocal clinical findings, diagnostic mammography is typically not performed as the initial imaging study in patients <30 years of age. MRI Breast Without and With IV Contrast There is no role for MRI without and with IV contrast in the evaluation of saline implants [16]. MRI Breast Without IV Contrast There is no role for MRI without IV contrast in the evaluation of saline implants [16]. US Breast In cases of saline implant rupture, the collapsed implant shell is visible by US, and for patients <30 years of age, an US is helpful as the initial examination. If a patient is uncertain which type of implant is in place, the implant type can be determined at US by examining the implant at its margin and witnessing the effect the implant has on surrounding normal tissue [18]. Because the speed of sound through silicone (997 m/sec) is slower than that through soft tissues and saline (1,540 m/sec), it will take longer for sound waves to travel through a silicone implant compared with through a saline-filled implant, causing a step-off appearance in silicone implants, which is not seen in saline implants [18]. Variant 3: Adult 30 to 39 years of age. Female or transfeminine. Evaluation of saline breast implants. Clinical examination equivocal for implant rupture. Initial imaging. Digital Breast Tomosynthesis Diagnostic For patients 30 to 39 years of age, DBT may be complementary to US. Rupture of saline implants is usually clinically evident because the saline is resorbed by the body over a period of days and the patient experiences a change in breast size and shape [16,17]. However, DBT may be useful in patients with suspected saline implant rupture and equivocal clinical findings.