SILICONE BREAST IMPLANT RUPTURES IN AN ANIMAL-MODEL - COMPARISON OF MAMMOGRAPHY, MR-IMAGING, US, AND CT

PURPOSE: To determine the most accurate imaging modality for detection of silicone implant ruptures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty single-lumen silicone implants were surgically placed in 20 rabbits. Each rabbit received one intact and one ruptured implant and was examined with mammography, magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, ultrasound (US), and computed tomography (CT). Five radiologists reviewed all images in a random fashion and graded each for rupture. The radiologist who performed US also graded her impression during examination with US. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed. RESULTS: MR imaging and CT were the most accurate modalities in detection of implant ruptures, with areas under the ROC curves (A(z)) of.95 and .91. Mammography and US were statistically significantly inferior, with A(z) of.77 for each (P < .05). CONCLUSION: MR imaging and CT are statistically more accurate than US and mammography for detection of intracapsular silicone implant ruptures when only the images are reviewed.