Subclinical Infection of the Silicone Breast Implant Surface as a Possible Cause of Capsular Contracture.

In order to reexamine the possible association between bacterial presence and capsular contracture, 55 silicone devices (mammary implants or tissue expanders) were cultured at the time of their removal from 40 patients. Special culture techniques were used in an attempt to recover bacteria adhering to the smooth-surfaced implant and encased in glycocalyx biofilm. Bacteria were detected on 56% (15 of 27) of implants surrounded by contracted capsules and on 18% (5 of 28) of those without capsular contracture (p < 0.

Diagnosis and therapy of subclinically infected prostheses.

We believe 5 to 7 percent of prosthetic devices are "subclinically" infected by Staphylococcus epidermidis. These infections are manifested by chronic pain, migration and late extrusion of the devices. To examine this problem, we cultured penile and mammary prostheses.

Enhanced activity of lysosomal beta-galactosidase after silicone implantation: an experimental study in rats.

Biologic consequences of silicone implantation may include changes in host connective tissue metabolism. Lysosomal beta-galactosidase (beta-GAL) activity, which is a sensitive marker of fibrotic diseases and may be a useful marker of collagen turnover, was examined in the serum of rats with implanted silicones. No significant difference in spectrofluorometrically determined enzyme activity was demonstrated in rats subjected to dorsal submuscular pocket dissection without implantation and corresponding nonoperative controls.

Infantile hemangiopericytoma: a rare cause of a soft tissue mass.

A case of infantile hemangiopericytoma in a neonate is presented. The clinicopathologic characteristics of this tumor are described. This tumor is often confused for other more aggressive malignant tumors and, thus, is likely under-reported and overtreated.