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:
- abdominal aorta
- pancreatic duct
- ductus deferens
- large veins
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
See also
-<li><a href="/articles/renal-tuberculosis-with-autonephrectomy">renal tuberculosis with autonephrectomy</a></li>- +<li>
- +<a title="Renal tuberculosis" href="/articles/renal-tuberculosis">renal tuberculosis</a> with <a title="autonephrectomy" href="/articles/autonephrectomy">autonephrectomy</a>
- +</li>
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