Microscopic Identification of Silicone in Human Breast Tissues by Infrared Microspectroscopy and X-Ray Microanalysis

Abstract

Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) microspectroscopy has been employed for the identification of silicone fragments in human breast tissue. Tissue specimens were mounted on aluminum-or gold-coated microscope slides and analyzed by employing the reflectance capabilities of the infrared microscope. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive x-ray microanalysis (EDXA) were also used to establish the elemental composition and location of the foreign material. Infrared absorptions originating from the Si-O bond were easily identified at 1097 and 1017 cm⁻¹, whereas the methyl group (-CH₃) symmetric deformation mode arising from the Si-CH₃ group was observed at 1260 cm⁻¹. Being a nondestructive technique, infrared microscopy may serve as a highly suitable tool for the routine and accurate identification of silicone particles in various pathological specimens.

Keywords

Silicone Infrared microscopy X-ray microanalysis

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