Intra-abdominal calcification

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Intra-abdominal calcification is common and the causes may be classified into four broad groups based on morphology:

Concretions

These are discrete precipitates in a vessel or organ. They are sharp in outline but the density and shape vary but in some cases, they may be virtually pathognomonic:

stones
pancreatic calcifications
nodal calcification: most commonly from treated lymphoma, tuberculosis or histoplasmosis ¹
phlebolith
appendicolith
calcified granuloma
failed renal transplant
encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis

Conduit calcification

Calcification within the walls of any fluid-filled hollow tube:

Cystic calcification

Calcification in the wall of a mass such as a cyst, pseudocyst or aneurysm. Hallmark is a smooth curvilinear rim of calcification:

simple serous cysts
aneurysms e.g. splenic or renal arteries
echinococcal cysts
organising haematoma
'porcelain' gallbladder
calcified appendiceal mucocele

Solid mass calcification

Diverse features which generally show extensive but variable calcification:

mesenteric nodes
adrenal calcifications
uterine fibroids
primary tumours, e.g. ovarian dermoid
metastases
adrenal adenoma
spleen (, e.g. autosplenectomy in sickle cell disease)
renal tuberculosis with autonephrectomy

-<p><strong>Intra-abdominal calcification</strong> is common and the causes may be classified into four broad groups based on morphology:</p><h4>Concretions</h4><p>These are discrete precipitates in a vessel or organ. They are sharp in outline but the density and shape vary but in some cases they may be virtually pathognomonic: </p><ul>
+<p><strong>Intra-abdominal calcification</strong> is common and the causes may be classified into four broad groups based on morphology:</p><h4>Concretions</h4><p>These are discrete precipitates in a vessel or organ. They are sharp in outline but the density and shape vary but in some cases, they may be virtually pathognomonic: </p><ul>
-<a href="/articles/nodal-calcification">nodal calcification</a>: most commonly from <a href="/articles/treated-lymphoma">treated lymphoma</a>, <a href="/articles/tuberculosis">tuberculosis</a> or <a href="/articles/histoplasmosis">histoplasmosis</a> <sup>1</sup>
+<a href="/articles/nodal-calcification">nodal calcification</a>: most commonly from treated <a title="Lymphoma" href="/articles/lymphoma">lymphoma</a>, <a href="/articles/tuberculosis">tuberculosis</a> or <a href="/articles/histoplasmosis">histoplasmosis</a> <sup>1</sup>
~~-<li>aneurysms e.g. splenic or renal arteries</li>~~
+<li>
+<a title="Aneurysm" href="/articles/aneurysm">aneurysms </a>e.g. <a title="Splenic arterial aneurysm" href="/articles/splenic-artery-aneurysm">splenic</a> or <a title="Renal artery aneurysm" href="/articles/renal-artery-aneurysm">renal arteries</a>
+</li>
~~-<li>adenoma</li>~~
~~-<li>spleen (<a href="/articles/autosplenectomy">autosplenectomy</a> in <a href="/articles/sickle-cell-disease">sickle cell disease</a>)</li>~~
+<li><a title="Adrenal adenoma" href="/articles/adrenal-adenoma">adrenal adenoma</a></li>
+<li>spleen, e.g. <a href="/articles/autosplenectomy">autosplenectomy</a> in <a href="/articles/sickle-cell-disease">sickle cell disease</a>
+</li>

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