SILICON TISSUE-ASSAYS IN NONAUGMENTED CADAVERIC PATIENTS - IS THERE ABASE-LINE LEVEL

Microscopic silicone in various tissues in the bodies of females with breast implants has led to the possible incrimination of these implant s with connective-tissue disorders. Current technology precludes accur ate silicone measurements, but ah compounds containing the element sil icon (which would include silicone) may be measured accurately. Direct positive correlations of silicon assays with silicone measured levels were confirmed by adding known amounts of silicone oil as a control. With the ubiquitous nature of organosilicons (food containers, syringe s, etc.), we hypothesized that baseline silicon levels could be detect ed in tissues of cadavers without silicone breast augmentation. Ten ca davers were examined. Tissue samples were derived from subcutaneous fa t, nipple, breast tissue, liver, spleen, and axillary nodes. Nine of 1 0 cadavers had silicon levels in various tissues. Measurements were pe rformed by direct current atomic emission spectroscopy. The baseline d ata were compared with those from four augmented patients who underwen t capsulectomies and implant removal. Silicon levels were fivefold hig her in the augmented patients than in the nonaugmented cadavers. No di fference in levels was noted if the patient had an intact or ruptured implant and/or was symptomatic versus asymptomatic for immunologic dis ease. This study was designed to measure baseline silicon levels in th e normal population. It also has established an accurate level of meas urement of tissue silicone.