Still’s-like Disease Induced by Breast Implants in a Middle-Aged Female Health Professional
  • Giagkos Michael Lavranos
    Department of Internal Medicine, Nicosia University General Hospital, Nicosia
  • Demetra Kouma
    Department of Internal Medicine, Nicosia University General Hospital, Nicosia
  • Antonis Deveros
    Department of Internal Medicine, Nicosia University General Hospital, Nicosia
  • Georgia Pigiotou
    Department of Internal Medicine, Nicosia University General Hospital, Nicosia
  • Georgios Samanis
    Department of Internal Medicine, Nicosia University General Hospital, Nicosia
  • Chrysostomos Zintilis
    Department of Internal Medicine, Nicosia University General Hospital, Nicosia

Keywords

breast implants, fever of unknown origin, silicone, Still disease

Abstract

We report a case of silicone-induced Still’s-like inflammatory syndrome diagnosed after extensive investigation in the department of internal medicine of a secondary hospital. A 45-year-old female healthcare specialist presented with fever, headache, sore throat, myalgia and fatigue. A history of breast augmentation surgery in 2007 was confirmed. Physical examination of the patient was normal while laboratory tests showed a very high white blood cell count. The patient was admitted to hospital due to suspected infection and further laboratory tests were carried out. Inflammatory markers were persistently high despite empirical treatment with doxycycline for possible infection by Rickettsia/Coxiella. As the fever did not resolve and the patient had not improved after more than 3 weeks, the case was investigated as fever of unknown origin. Eventually, the existence of liver granulomas as well as the presence of anti-silicone antibodies confirmed the diagnosis of silicone-induced Still’s-like inflammatory syndrome. In conclusion, this case supports a linkage between silicone breast implants and autoimmune connective tissue diseases.

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    Published: 2017-01-27
    Issue: Vol. 4 No. 1 (view)


    How to cite:
    1.
    Lavranos GM, Kouma D, Deveros A, Pigiotou G, Samanis G, Zintilis C. Still’s-like Disease Induced by Breast Implants in a Middle-Aged Female Health Professional. EJCRIM 2017;4 doi:10.12890/2016_000513.