Recognizing Abnormal Calcifications and Their Causes

Soft-tissue calcifications lend themselves to a systematic approach that connects a diverse group of diseases. Although this chapter focuses primarily on abdominal calcifications, the same principles and approach apply to dystrophic calcification found anywhere in the body.

Case Quiz 16 Question

This is a supine abdominal radiograph of a 56-year-old female with chronic renal disease. The image demonstrates two of the four classic patterns of calcification described in this chapter. What are they and in what structures are they located? The answers are at the end of the chapter.

• Most soft-tissue calcification occurs in tissue that is already abnormal. Such calcification is called dystrophic calcification.

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

  • Their pattern of calcification

  • Their anatomic location

    • CT can easily identify the location of such calcifications.