Cardiac imaging impaired by a silicone breast implant

Clin Nucl Med. 2005 Apr;30(4):262-4. doi: 10.1097/01.rlu.0000156378.61359.bd.

Abstract

The authors report a case of a left-sided silicone breast implant interfering with nuclear imaging of the myocardium. Cardiac SPECT imaging of a woman documented widespread infarct in the anterolateral, inferior, and posterolateral walls, as well as mixed ischemia/infarct in the anterior wall. Subsequent cardiac MRI revealed just anterolateral and inferolateral infarct. The anterior wall was completely viable. Also apparent on the MR images was a left breast implant overlying the anterior myocardial wall. This case of a left-sided silicone breast implant interfering with nuclear imaging of the myocardium highlights the importance of understanding the potential interference from silicone breast implants.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Artifacts*
  • Breast Implants*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Diagnostic Errors / prevention & control*
  • Female
  • Foreign Bodies / diagnosis
  • Foreign Bodies / diagnostic imaging*
  • Heart / diagnostic imaging*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Myocardial Infarction / diagnosis
  • Myocardial Infarction / diagnostic imaging*
  • Radionuclide Imaging
  • Silicones*

Substances

  • Silicones