Fundamentals of Breast Implant Illness and Device Imaging

Figure 1

Flowchart demonstrating the silicone-induced granuloma formation flowchart in the fibrous capsule microenvironment. The macrophage phagocytes the free silicone in contact with the fibrous capsule, forming a macrophage antigen complex (MAC) and activating T lymphocytes by MAC. Silicone phagocytosis is frustrated, leading to apoptosis of the macrophage and release of the silicone corpuscles. Activated lymphocytes will release cytokines against the silicone. The process is usually self-limiting and results in granuloma (SIGBIC) formation that is the silicone disease marker.