IMAGING SIGNS AND RADIOLOGISTS JARGON OF RUPTURED BREAST IMPLANTS

Silicone gel leakage problems are central to the furor over the compli cations alleged to be caused by breast implants. Because clinical exam ination may not reveal confirmatory signs of gel bleed or rupture, rad iologists are often requested by plastic surgeons to evaluate the inte grity of the implant's envelope. The findings of the various imaging i nvestigations are reported in terms such as ''tear-drop,'' ''linguini, '' and ''snowstorm.'' To interpret the radiologist's report correctly, the plastic surgeon should be familiar with these terms and the findi ngs they represent. In this article, we present an explanation of the radiologists' vocabulary in these matters, as well as an indication as to the significance of the various signs.