Operating without imaging is operating blind
No serious surgical plan begins without knowing three things: where the material is, how much there is, and which tissues are affected. This information cannot be obtained by hand or sight. It is obtained with imaging.
Magnetic resonance imaging is currently the study of choice for this.
What MRI shows
Synthetic material behaves differently from fat, muscle, and fibrous tissue when exposed to magnetic fields. This allows for:
- Delimiting the actual extent of the infiltration, which is almost always greater than what is visible externally
- Detecting migration to areas far from the injection site
- Identifying the compromised plane: whether it is above the muscle, within the muscle, or between deep planes
- Assessing the fibrosis surrounding the material
- Detecting collections or signs of infection that change the urgency of the case
Why an ultrasound is not enough
Ultrasound is useful, accessible, and serves as a first approach. But it has real limitations: it depends heavily on the operator, has poor penetration into deep tissues, and cannot accurately map extensive infiltration. In cases of buttocks, where the material is often in deep and dispersed planes, it falls short.
MRI provides the complete map. That is why it defines the surgical strategy.
How to prepare
- The study lasts between 30 and 45 minutes depending on the region
- It is performed lying down, inside the machine, without pain
- Do not wear metal objects: jewelry, piercings, clothing with clasps
- Inform if you have a pacemaker, metal implants, surgical clips, or if you are pregnant
- If you suffer from claustrophobia, tell the team in advance: there are alternatives and options for mild sedation
- In some cases, contrast is used, and prior fasting is requested
What we do with the results
The radiological report alone is not the plan. What follows is the interpretation of the images along with the clinical evaluation: what symptoms you have, the condition of your tissue, and your general state of health.
From this cross-referencing comes the decision: whether the case can be resolved in one surgical stage or several, what technique is appropriate, and whether subsequent reconstruction is required.
This content is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for a medical consultation.