Elastography shows stiffness changes in breast implants

Shear wave elastography (SWE) could be used as an indicator of the risk of breast implant rupture, a study published January 20 in the Journal of Biomechanics. Researchers led by Laetitia Ruffenach, MD, from the University of Strasbourg in France reported that elastography can visualize breast implant stiffness as implants degrade over time, measuring rupture risk and helping diagnose replacements for implants. “By observing the consequences of the physical-chemical mechanisms at work within patients, this study shows that ultrasound elastography could be used in vivo as a quantitative indicator of the risk of breast implant rupture and help diagnose their replacement,” Ruffenach and colleagues wrote. Breast implants are used after breast cancer resection, and they must be changed regularly to avoid rupturing. However, the researchers noted that there are no quantitative criteria to help guide when and how they should be replaced. They also suggested that the mechanical evolution of the gels and membranes within the implants could play a role in early rupturing. While elastography has been used in supplemental imaging to diagnose breast cancer, its use in assessing breast implants has also been explored. This includes evaluating the impact of implants on surrounding body tissues, such as inflammation, capsular contracture, fibrosis, and hematoma.%{[ data-embed-type="image" data-embed-id="65aed058a6e7a7e7038b4634" data-embed-element="span" data-embed-size="640w" data-e...
Source: AuntMinnie.com Headlines - Category: Radiology Authors: Tags: Clinical News Ultrasound Breast Imaging Source Type: news