https://www.glamclinicdubai.ae/en/breast-surgery/breast-fillers-injections/
In Dubai, radiologists play a crucial role in distinguishing between breast fillers and cancerous lesions on imaging studies. They face specific challenges when interpreting mammograms and other breast imaging modalities after patients have received breast filler injections. While there are no specific guidelines from radiology societies in the UAE regarding breast imaging after filler injections, international bodies like the American College of Radiology (ACR) and the European Society of Breast Imaging (EUSOBI) provide recommendations that highlight the risks and challenges associated with imaging augmented breasts with synthetic fillers.

Radiologists in Dubai encounter difficulties in differentiating between synthetic fillers like Hyaluronic Acid (HA), Poly-L-Lactic Acid (PLLA), and Calcium Hydroxyapatite (CaHA) and cancerous lesions on imaging studies. These fillers can mimic cancer by appearing as irregular masses, calcifications, or causing architectural distortion in breast tissue. Moreover, they can also mask cancer by obscuring small, early-stage tumors, leading to delayed diagnosis and potentially life-threatening consequences.

Specific challenges arise with different types of fillers, with HA fillers appearing as fluid collections on ultrasound or high-signal areas on MRI, PLLA inducing non-resorbing granulomas that mimic cancerous masses, and CaHA presenting as dense calcifications on mammograms that are difficult to differentiate from suspicious microcalcifications associated with breast cancer. To address these challenges, breast imaging centers in Dubai adapt their protocols by taking comprehensive patient histories, using multi-modality imaging approaches (mammography, ultrasound, MRI), increasing vigilance and follow-up for patients with fillers, and considering interventional procedures like biopsies when necessary.

Ultimately, radiologists in Dubai prioritize patient safety and advocate against the use of synthetic fillers for breast augmentation due to the risks they pose to diagnostic accuracy. They recommend autologous fat transfer as a safer alternative for natural breast enhancement, as it integrates naturally into breast tissue and minimizes interference with future breast cancer screening. By prioritizing safety and effective diagnosis, radiologists play a critical role in ensuring the well-being of patients seeking breast augmentation in Dubai.