A study was conducted at the University of Virginia Health Sciences Ce
nter to examine the effectiveness of magnetic resonance imaging in det
ecting rupture or deflation of in situ mammary prostheses. Thirty-thre
e women with 59 prostheses were included in the study. Fifteen of the
33 patients had undergone surgery for removal or replacement of 21 imp
lants. Positive findings for rupture were accurately predicted for 15
implants and confirmed at surgery. Negative findings for rupture were
accurately predicted in the remaining 6 implants and confirmed at surg
ery. Although it is a more costly procedure than either mammography or
ultrasonography, we believe that magnetic resonance imaging is also m
ore accurate in detecting damaged implants, particularly when they are
contained within an intact capsule or when the implants are stacked.
Unlike mammography, magnetic resonance imaging requires no ionizing ra
diation or breast compression. Magnetic resonance imaging of the in si
tu breast prosthesis may be a useful adjunct when other modalities yie
ld inconclusive results or when a contained rupture is suspected.