Recognizing abnormal calcifications and their causes ch 17

Question 1

The nature of most calcifications can be determined by examining two of their characteristics:

Answer 1

1. their pattern of calcification

2. their anatomic location (CT can easily identify location)

Question 2

4 patterns in which calcifications occur:

Answer 2

1. rim-like
2. linear or track-like
3. lamellar (or laminar)
4. cloud-like, amorphous, or popcorn

Question 3

Describe rim-like calcifications

Answer 3

those that occured in the wall of a hollow viscus (structure containing fluid, fat, or air)

Question 4

Examples of rim-like structures

Answer 4

cysts (renal, splenic, extraabdominal sites - bronchia, pericardial)
aneurysms - aortic aneurysms (splenic artery or renal artery)
saccular organs (gallbladder-procelain gallbladder or urinary bladder-schistomiasis)

Question 5

Describe linear, track-like calcifications

Answer 5

linear or track-like calcification implies calcification that has occured in the walls of tubular structures
e.g. in arteries (atherosclerosis), thrombi in veins, fallopian tube and vas deferens, ureter

Question 6

describe laminar calcification

Answer 6

lamellar or laminar calcification implies calcification that forms around a nidus inside a hollow lumen

Question 7

lamellar or laminated calcifications are usually called ____ or ___ and include:
1.
2.
3.

Answer 7

stones or calculi

1. renal calculi
2. gallstones
3. bladder stones

Question 8

Describe cloud-like calcifications

Answer 8

calcification that has formed inside of a solid organ or tumor and examples inlcude

• body of the pancreas
• leiomyomas of uterus
• lymph nodes
• lidneys
• mudin producing adenocarcinomas
• meningiomas