After a breast prosthesis breakage, it is common for some of the lymph nodes in the armpit to present microscopic remains of silicone. We easily detect this in the ultrasound with the typical “snowstorm” image as a consequence of the presence of these silicone remains and the interference it makes with the ultrasounds. The question our patients always ask us is whether it is necessary to remove them.
What to do with siliconoma?
Siliconoma, or silicone-infiltrated adenopathy, is usually a slightly enlarged but functioning lymph node. That is, the lymph node continues to maintain its immunological function and its station function in the lymphatic drainage of the arm and breast. For this reason, it is generally not recommended to remove physiologically functioning lymph nodes unless they cause pain (rarely) or there are some that are greatly enlarged (the volume is not specified). Therefore, we must maintain a conservative attitude with the lymph nodes in the armpit and only remove the smallest possible number of them in case of symptoms.