Silicone fluid (polymethylsiloxane) is a liquid polymer that had been widely used in breast augmentation and other cosmetic procedures. However, many adverse reactions after silicone injections into human beings have been reported including adverse pulmonary sequelae. We report a case of a 46-year-old woman who suffered from acute pneumonitis that was induced by illicit injection of silicone into the vaginal wall for colpoplasty. The pulmonary involvement was documented by transbronchial lung biopsy and bronchoalveolar lavage where examination with the electron microscope disclosed the presence of large quantities of pleomorphic cytoplasmic inclusions in alveolar macrophages. Clinicians should be aware of this unusual complication of injection of silicone.
Copyright 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel