Breast Implant Migration Through a Postthoracotomy Defect

Breast implant migration through the thoracic wall is a rare and underrecognized complication, typically associated with prior thoracic surgery. We present the case of a 58-year-old woman with a history of right minithoracotomy for mitral valve repair and prior bilateral retropectoral breast augmentation who developed right chest wall discomfort and sudden loss of right breast volume. Imaging revealed a low-attenuation intrathoracic mass conforming to the posterior right hemidiaphragm and the absence of the implant in the expected location of the right breast. Surgical exploration confirmed intrathoracic migration of the intact implant. This case highlights the imaging appearance of this rare complication along with clues to the correct diagnosis.