Association Between Mastalgia and Elastographic Breast Stiffness in Patients with Subpectoral Silicone Implants: A Multiparametric Shear Wave Elastography Study

Abstract

ABSTRACT Purpose: In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the long-term effect of silicone implants on elastographic breast stiffness and the relationship between breast stiffness and mastalgia in cases with subpectoral silicone implants. Materials and Methods: Cases with subpectoral silicone implants at least one year after surgery as the patient group (Group 1) and cases without silicone implants as the control group (Group 2) were included in the study. Shear wave velocity values (Vmean, Vmax, Vmin, Vsd) were measured by multiparametric shear wave elastography (mpSWE). All cases were asked to rate their mastalgia (Mastalgia Score, MS) using a verbal numerical rating scale (NRS, 0-10). The relationship between age, parity, mammographic breast density, menopausal status, mastalgia score, and elastographic breast stiffness was evaluated in each group. Results: All mpSWE values in Group 1 were higher than in Group 2 (p<0.05). Mean breast parenchymal stiffness (Vmean) was significantly lower in women under 40 years of age than in women over 40, and in women who had not given birth than who had given birth (p<0.05). MS was significantly higher in women with dense breast structure (p<0.05). However, no significant difference was found between MS and other variables (age, parity, menopausal status, silicone implants). Conclusion:Subpectoral silicone breast implants are associated with increased breast stiffness as measured quantitatively by elastography. However, no statistically significant relationship was found between elastographic breast stiffness and mastalgia in the long-term post-implantation period. Therefore, factors other than implants should be considered in cases of chronic post-implant mastalgia.