Calcification of the globe (differential)

Calcification of the globe has many causes, varying from benign to malignant. When calcification is seen in the posterior half of the globe, it could relate to any of the layers (scleral, choroidal or retinal), as it is not possible to separate them out on CT.

Retinal

• drusen: 1% population at optic disc (benign)

• retinoblastoma

• retinocytoma

• tuberous sclerosis: "giant drusen", astrocytic hamartomas

• epiretinal membranes

• retrolental fibroplasia (retinopathy of prematurity)

• Coats disease

Retinochoroidal

• chorioretinitis: most commonly following toxoplasmosis

Choroidal

• choroidal osteoma: more common in patients with tuberous sclerosis

• choroidal angioma: occasionally calcify

• choroidal nevus ⁵

Sclerochoroidal

• metastatic calcification: abnormal calcium and phosphate metabolism

  • hyperparathyroidism

  • pseudohypoparathyroidism

  • renal tubular acidosis

  • sarcoidosis ⁶

• dystrophic calcification: abnormal tissues become calcified, despite normal calcium and phosphate metabolism, occasionally seen in the elderly White population, most frequently men

• phthisis bulbi: is the end result of major injury to the eye (trauma, infection) with a shrunken calcified "lump" remaining

• senile calcific scleral plaques

• scleromalacia perforans: rare form of scleritis associated with autoimmune disease

Differential diagnosis

For globe opacification consider:

• intraocular silicone gel treatment ⁴

See also

• optic nerve calcification