(31) SILICONE BREAST IMPLANT EFFECTS ON BODY COMPOSITION AND BONE MINERAL DENSITY VALUES BY DEXA SCAN

Introduction: Silicone implants are surgically installed for a variety of reasons, such as cosmetic reasons, breast reconstruction, etc. Implants can add or replace mass typically in female populations. However, how this mass is measured on DEXA scan is important, specifically when it comes to the identification of osteopenia and osteoporosis.

Purpose: To analyze the differences in body composition related to the addition of implants.

Methods: 22 subjects participated in this investigation (9 males, 13 females, 23.93±5.95 years old, height 1.73±.11m, weight 77.7±20.9kg, Mean±SD). Subjects were initially weighed and their height was recorded by stadiometer. Subjects were then scanned by a total body DEXA scan utilizing typical testing methodology (GE Lunar Prodigy). After the scan, 5 implants (silicone gel breast implants with high strength cohesive gel) were placed on top of their body (left (470ml) and right (470ml) pec, left (455ml) and right (505ml) hip, and right (210ml) thigh).  Subjects were then scanned again  utilizing the same testing methodology. Lean mass, fat mass, and bone mass data was extracted both globally and regionally. Data was then analyzed for significant difference between the scans utilizing a students paired t-test with an alpha of p > .05.

Results: Change in lean body mass from pre to post was: overall .99±.66kg* (* = p< .05), in the torso 1.28±1.62kg*, in the legs -.15±1.50kg. Change in fat mass was; overall .47±.55kg*, in the torso .59±1.15kg*, in the legs -.05±1.06kg. Bone mineral density change overall was .11±.07g/cm^3*, in the torso was .50±.31g/cm^3*, in the legs was .09±.1g/cm^3*. Bone mineral content change was 488.2±219.2g*

Conclusion: The addition of breast implants greatly impacted DEXA values for lean mass, fat mass, and bone mass. Further research should explore the relationships between body size, race, and implant size to these changes.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Individuals with breast implants will typically show higher lean mass and much higher bone mass value on a DEXA scan and practitioners should potentially be wary of individuals with implants showing falsely elevated bone density, potentially missing a diagnosis of osteopenia or osteoporosis.

Acknowledgements: None