Lindsey Alexandra Crowe1, Giorgio
Petramaggiori2, Sonia Nielles-Vallespin3, Peter Speier3,
Enrico Vigato4, Hicham Majd4, Jean-Paul Valle1
1Department of Radiology, Geneva
University Hospital, University of Geneva, Faculty of Medicine, Geneva,
Switzerland; 2Department of Surgery, Geneva University Hospital,
Geneva, Switzerland; 3Siemens AG Medical Solutions, Erlangen,
Germany; 4Department of Surgery, University of Geneva, Faculty of
Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland
Fibrotic
reaction around implantable medical devices is an increasingly important
problem, limiting function and causing pain. Up to 10-15% of silicone breast
implants develop capsular contraction, necessitating replacement. A 3D radial MRI technique with ultrashort
TE is proposed as an early, pre-clinical quantification method and to
serially assess the formation of capsular tissue. With the reduction of
chemical shift effect and motion artifacts, and high isotropic resolution,
distortion, rupture and tissue build-up around the implants can be segmented
and quantified. Results may lead to standardized methods for early detection
of excessive capsular formation, decreasing complication rates in patients.