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Imaging Features of AlloDerm®Used in Postmastectomy Breast Reconstructions
Author(s) -
Christine Lee,
Allison J. Clapp,
Steven R. Jacobson
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of clinical imaging science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.279
H-Index - 18
eISSN - 2156-7514
pISSN - 2156-5597
DOI - 10.4103/2156-7514.131641
Subject(s) - medicine , acellular dermis , magnetic resonance imaging , breast imaging , radiology , medical imaging , mastectomy , cadaveric spasm , ultrasound , mammography , breast cancer , surgery , implant , cancer
The purpose of this pictorial essay is to demonstrate the imaging features (ultrasound, mammogram, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)) of AlloDerm® (LifeCell Corp.; Branchburg, NJ), an acellular dermal matrix sometimes used in both primary and reconstructive breast surgeries. AlloDerm® is derived from cadaveric dermis and provides an immunologically inert scaffold in tissue reconstruction. Since there is little literature on the imaging of this substance, radiologists may be unfamiliar with its appearance in breast imaging. For this manuscript, ex vivo and in vivo images of AlloDerm® in postmastectomy patients were evaluated using different imaging modalities. The appearance of AlloDerm® can vary based on length of time postsurgery and incorporation into the host. AlloDerm® appears as an isodense to glandular tissue on a mammogram and isoechoic to glandular tissue on ultrasound imaging. On MRI, in comparison with normal breast parenchyma, AlloDerm® is hyperintense on T2-weighted imaging and isointense on T1-weighted imaging and demonstrates mild enhancement. To the best of the authors′ knowledge, this is the first multimodality imaging description of AlloDerm® used in postmastectomy patients. The conformation of AlloDerm® at surgical placement and the degree of host cell migration and neoangiogenesis are factors to take into consideration when performing diagnostic evaluations; and, familiarity with the various imaging appearances of AlloDerm® can be helpful to exclude residual or recurrent disease

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