Radiology, Vol 194, 863-866, Copyright © 1995 by Radiological Society of North America
Seromas in residual fibrous capsules after explantation: mammographic and sonographic appearances
MS Soo, PJ Kornguth, GS Georgiade and DC Sullivan
Department of Radiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710.
PURPOSE: To evaluate the mammographic and sonographic findings associated
with seromas that develop in residual fibrous capsules after explantation
of breast prostheses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Preoperative and postoperative
mammograms were reviewed in 86 patients (mean age, 51 years; age range,
24-71 years) who had undergone surgical explantation of breast prostheses.
Six seromas were found in four patients 46-68 years of age. Imaging
findings were correlated with surgical and laboratory results for three
seromas. A presumptive diagnosis was made of the other three lesions.
RESULTS: Mammograms demonstrated all seromas as large, elliptic,
water-opacity masses, some with well- circumscribed and some with irregular
borders. Sonograms showed thin, compressible masses, two of which were flat
and anechoic and one of which was hypoechoic. Three patients' images were
initially misinterpreted, leading to excision of two seromas and aspiration
of one. Seromas were not identified in patients whose implants were removed
by means of complete capsulectomy. CONCLUSION: Radiologists must be aware
of the imaging findings associated with seromas and of a patient's surgical
history to avoid biopsy of benign lesions.
