Calcified and ruptured breast prostheses

Case contributed by Ian Bickle
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Chest pain.

Patient Data

Age: 70 years
Gender: Female

Both breast prostheses are heavily calcified.

On the left, the prosthesis has contracted.

Heart size normal.  Lungs clear.

Case Discussion

Over time breast prostheses may calcify.  When this happens they are much more readily evident on chest radiograph.

In this case, the left prosthesis is calcified and has contracted, almost mimicking a pleural plaque.

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