[Severe alveolar haemorrhage related to a silicone embolism syndrome revealed by a chronic penis ulcer: A case report].

INTRODUCTION

Silicone injections, in particular illegal injections, carried out in an aesthetic purpose, can cause serious complications, like silicone embolism syndrome.

CASE REPORT: We present a 39-year-old man who presented with a severe acute respiratory distress syndrome related to an alveolar hemorrhage associated with a persistent penis ulcer and a genital lymphedema. It was the complications of silicone injections which revealed a severe personality disorder. Diagnosis of silicone embolism syndrome was made, a few years later, thanks to the histopathology study of a persistent penis ulcer with genital lymphedema. The outcome was favorable.

CONCLUSION

A serious alveolar hemorrhage in a young patient should raise suspicion of silicone embolism syndrome, especially if there are cutaneous lesions compatible with injections.