Silicone breast implants and autoimmune connective tissue disease.

There is currently no proven cause-and-effect relationship between breast implants and autoimmune connective tissue disease. However, there is a growing concern that immunological sensitization to silicone could potentially develop in certain susceptible patients and that this could contribute to the development of autoimmune connective tissue disease. In this article I review the current status of this potential relationship. The following areas are discussed: chemistry of silicone, potential mechanisms for an immune response, implant failure, epidemiological and antibody studies of autoimmune connective tissue disease, and recent information on certain neurological findings in a group of patients with breast implants. Current large-scale epidemiological studies should help to define any potential relationship between breast implants and autoimmune connective tissue disease.