Artifacts on Magnetic Resonance Imaging from Electronic Identification Enablement in Silicone Gel Implants Are Not Negligible

Abstract

Breast implants filled with silicone gel are used worldwide for cosmetic reasons, or breast reconstruction following risk-reducing or therapeutic mastectomy. The importance of identifiable implants is undeniable. A recent development has been the labeling of the implants with a radio-frequency device micro responder chip (RFID). We examined a patient with silicone implants containing RFID chips with magnetic resonance imaging and were surprised by the artifacts caused by the RFID chip. We raise the question if the benefits of RFID-labeled silicone implants outweigh the drawbacks of magnetic resonance artifacts caused by the RFID chip itself.

Patients with silicone filled breast implants will likely need radiological breast imaging several times during their lifespan. The lifetime risk of developing breast cancer in the western world is 12%. The risk might be significantly higher for women with a positive family or personal history of breast cancer or genetic predisposition for breast cancer. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the gold-standard diagnostic tool for detecting and assessing breast lesions in women with breast implants, and as such, image quality is of utmost importance.