Neuropsychological Profile Associated with Silicone-gel Breast Implants

Abstract

Thirty-two silicone breast implant patients scored in the mild to moderate range of impairment on the Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Battery. An unusual number of patients had positive tests for antinuclear antibody on immunological testing and a high incidence of electroencephalogram (EEG) abnormalities were found. Personality testing revealed a Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) profile which is found in neuropsychologically impaired subjects, but which is also consistent with extreme emotional distress that may result in somatic complaints. None of the subjects was near the cut-off score for malingering or faking bad on the F- K index of the MMPI. There was no apparent relationship between length of exposure and the severity of neurological impairment. In addition, the performance of explanted subjects was not improved when compared to subjects whose implants were still in place.