Generalized livedo reticularis induced by silicone implants for soft tissue augmentation

Silicone is one of the most widely used filler for facial cosmetic correction and soft tissue augmentation. Although initially it was considered to be a biologically inert material, many local and generalized adverse effects have been reported after silicone usage for cosmetic purposes. We present a previously healthy woman who developed progressive and persistent generalized livedo reticularis after cosmetic surgery for volume augmentation of buttocks. Histopathologic study demonstrated dermal presence of interstitial vacuoles and cystic spaces of different sizes between the collagen bundles, which corresponded to the silicone particles implanted years ago. These vacuoles were clustered around vascular spaces and surrounded by a few foamy macrophages. General examination and laboratory investigations failed to show any evidence of connective tissue disease or other systemic disorder. Therefore, we believe that the silicone implanted may have induced some kind of blood dermal perturbation resulting in the characteristic violet reticular discoloration of livedo reticularis.