Silicone is polydimethylsiloxane.
Adverse effects of injected silicone:
(1) venous embolization to the lung, resulting in pulmonary embolism or pneumonitis (see previous section)
(2) arterial embolization, with infarction of distal sites in the extremities, brain, kidney and other organs. Consequences may include limb gangrene, stroke, and renal dysfunction.
(3) multi-organ failure (MOF)
(4) distribution into reticuloendothelial cells of liver, spleen and bone marrow following spallation of the silicone, with foreign body type granulomas
(5) toxicity from impurities in the silicone used
(6) injection site reaction (infection, inflammation, etc)
where:
• Spallation involves the breaking up of silicone into smaller droplets that can circulate in the blood.
• Some unethical (or ignorant) injectionists will use industrial silicone which can significant chemical impurities.
