The diagnosis here was initially missed because the patient did not report taking nitrofurantoin

when asked about medication. The case highlights the importance of detailed history taking in complex cases, and that patient modesty or embarrassment may lead to important omissions of personally sensitive key information. Written patient consent was obtained. The authors declare no conflict of interest. None. “
“A previously healthy 20-year-old female from England had flown into the US with friends for a “pumping party”. She arrived with the intention of injecting 3000 ccs of hospital grade silicone into her thighs and buttocks, AZD6244 in vitro with lesser quantities for her friends who had previously received silicone injections without complications. Approximately 4 h after administration of the injections she began to experience chest tightness see more with mild dyspnea and was taken to the ER. On physical examination, the patient was in no distress while breathing room air. Vital signs were normal. The lungs, heart, and abdominal examinations revealed no abnormalities. The extremities demonstrated extensive bilateral greater trochanteric swelling without erythema with a palpable doughy consistency. Neurologic examination revealed no focal deficits. Laboratory data including complete blood count, serum chemistry, cardiac enzymes

and urine for toxicology screening were all negative. Initial electrocardiogram was normal and chest

radiographs showed diffuse interstitial infiltrates and minimal pulmonary vascular congestion (Fig. 1). Ninety minutes later, she became lethargic, markedly dyspneic and diaphoretic. Arterial blood gas analysis on 100% oxygen were pH 7.29, pCO2 37 mmHg, pO2 53 mmHg, and oxygen saturation 82%. She was intubated Selleck Abiraterone and transferred to the ICU. Chest CT revealed subcentimeter non-calcified pulmonary nodules, peripheral ground-glass opacities and interlobular septal thickening in all lung lobes (Fig. 2). What is the diagnosis? Silicone embolism syndrome (SES) is a potentially fatal, multisystemic complication that results from the illegal cosmetic injection of liquid silicone (polydimethylsiloxane). Although silicone polymers were favored for use in cosmetic procedures (Fig. 3) as they were previously believed to be immunologically inert compounds with high thermal stability and minimal tissue reaction,1 there is increasing evidence showing a widespread inflammatory reaction to its administration.2 Beyond the occurrence of direct intravascular injection which frequently occurs in illicit cosmetic silicone administration, embolic phenomena can also occur as a result of silicone penetration into the microvasculature in the setting of increased perivascular tissue pressure.