Phlebolith
Updates to Article Attributes
Phleboliths are literally vein"vein stones", and represent calcification within venous structures. They are particularly common in the pelvis where they may mimic ureteric calculi, and are also encountered frequently in venous malformations. There is an association with Maffucci syndrome.
In the former situation, two signs are helpful in distinguishing a ureteric calculus from a phlebolith :
-
comet-tail sign: favours a phlebolith -
soft-tissue rim sign: favours a ureteric calculus
Radiographic features
Phleboliths appear as focal calcifications, often with radiolucent centers (another helpful sign if present to distinguish them from ureteric calculi). This appearance is attributed to calcification peripherally within the vessel, and is frequently seen on abdominal radiographs (66% of phleboliths 2). It can also be seen on CT provided thin sections are obtained (at 5mm thick slices radiolucent centers will be inapparent in 99% of phleboliths 2).
Associations
- comet-tail sign: favours a phlebolith
- soft-tissue rim sign: favours a ureteric calculus
Differential diagnosis
Two signs are helpful in distinguishing a ureteric calculus from a phlebolith:
-<p><strong>Phleboliths</strong> are literally vein stones, and represent calcification within venous structures. They are particularly common in the pelvis where they may mimic <a href="/articles/ureteric-calculi">ureteric calculi</a>, and are also encountered frequently in <a href="/articles/venous-malformations">venous malformations</a>. </p><p>In the former situation, two signs are helpful in distinguishing a ureteric calculus from a phlebolith :</p><ol>- +<p><strong>Phleboliths</strong> are literally "vein stones", and represent calcification within venous structures. They are particularly common in the pelvis where they may mimic <a href="/articles/ureteric-calculi">ureteric calculi</a>, and are also encountered frequently in <a href="/articles/venous-malformations">venous malformations</a>. There is an association with <a href="/articles/maffucci-syndrome">Maffucci syndrome</a>. </p><h4>Radiographic features</h4><p>Phleboliths appear as focal calcifications, often with radiolucent centers (another helpful sign if present to distinguish them from ureteric calculi). This appearance is attributed to calcification peripherally within the vessel, and is frequently seen on abdominal radiographs (66% of phleboliths <sup>2</sup>). It can also be seen on CT provided thin sections are obtained (at 5mm thick slices radiolucent centers will be inapparent in 99% of phleboliths <sup>2</sup>).</p><h4>Differential diagnosis</h4><p>Two signs are helpful in distinguishing a ureteric calculus from a phlebolith:</p><ol>
-<a href="/articles/comet-tail-sign-urology">comet-tail sign</a> : favours a phlebolith</li>- +<a href="/articles/comet-tail-sign-urology-1">comet-tail sign</a>: favours a phlebolith</li>
-<a href="/articles/soft-tissue-rim-sign">soft-tissue rim sign</a> : favours a ureteric calculus</li>-</ol><p>Phleboliths appear as focal calcifications, often with radiolucent centers (another helpful sign if present to distinguish them from ureteric calculi). This appearance is attributed to calcification peripherally within the vessel, and is frequently seen on abdominal radiographs (66% of phleboliths <sup>2</sup>). It can also be seen on CT provided thin sections are obtained (at 5mm thick slices radiolucent centers will be inapparent in 99% of phleboliths <sup>2</sup>).</p><h5>Associations</h5><ul><li><a href="/articles/maffucci_syndrome">Maffucci syndrome </a></li></ul>- +<a href="/articles/soft-tissue-rim-sign">soft-tissue rim sign</a>: favours a ureteric calculus</li>
- +</ol>
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Image 1 X-ray ( update )
Image 2 X-ray ( update )
Image 3 X-ray (Frontal) ( update )
Image 4 X-ray (Frontal) ( update )
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