Abstract
Millions of women worldwide have silicone breast implants. It has been reported that implant failure occurs in approximately a tenth of patients within 10 years, and the consequences of dissemination of silicone debris are poorly understood. Currently, silicone detection in histopathological slides is based on morphological features as no specific immunohistochemical technique is available. Here, we show the feasibility and sensitivity of stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) imaging to specifically detect silicone material in stained histopathological slides, without additional sample treatment. Histology slides of four periprosthetic capsules from different implant types were obtained after explantation, as well as an enlarged axillary lymph node from a patient with a ruptured implant. SRS images coregistered with bright-field images revealed the distribution and quantity of silicone material in the tissue. Fast and high-resolution imaging of histology slides with molecular specificity using SRS provides an opportunity to investigate the role of silicone debris in the pathophysiology of implant-linked diseases.
Highlights
Breast augmentation is the most commonly performed plastic surgery procedure worldwide [1, 2]
The stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) imaging protocol described in this manuscript makes it possible to detect and quantify silicone debris in histology slides with molecular specificity, in a fast and convenient manner
Coverslips and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining reagents used in standard histology slides do not interfere with the SRS signal
Summary
Breast augmentation is the most commonly performed plastic surgery procedure worldwide [1, 2]. SRS spectra were compared to spontaneous Raman spectra obtained from silicone breast implant gel and from silicone particulates in a histology slide, using an inVia Reflex Raman microspectrometer (Renishaw, Wottonunder-Edge, UK) at a laser wavelength of 785 nm. Image acquisition consisted of obtaining a bright-field picture of the entire slide, after which the sample was scanned at two different wavenumbers that maximize the contrast between silicone and the surrounding tissue.
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