The Role of Radiology in Detecting Prosthetic Breast Implant-Related Complications

Given the growing number of breast implants, both for aesthetic and reconstructive purposes, it is imperative for the Radiologist, to know the different types of surgical procedures involved, as well as the various types of implants available. Several types of early or late complications can result from this. The prosthesis rupture represents one of the most frequent kinds of late complication and constitutes the foremost cause of its removal. Since its clinical manifestation may be absent in up to 50% of cases, Radiology plays a central role in its monitoring. In Portugal, MR surveillance is not recommended by the national health program. Ultrasound examination along with screening mammography is the usual preferred method. Thus, although breast implants imaging constitutes a low percentage of the day-to-day care activity of a Radiologist, the knowledge of the different imaging findings in the multimodality imaging used is crucial for early diagnosis of these complications and to provide the best patient care possible.