Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
Citation:
Weerakkody Y, Elfeky M, Evangelou K, et al. Calcifying pulmonary metastases. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 12 Feb 2025) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-24816
Calcifying pulmonary metastases are rare. These should not be confused with metastatic pulmonary calcification.
Pathology
Calcification in metastases can arise through a variety of mechanisms: bone formation in tumors of osteoid origin, calcification and ossification of tumor cartilage, dystrophic calcification and ossification of tumor cartilage, dystrophic calcification and mucoid calcification.
A number of primary malignancies can potentially cause calcification. The reported spectrum includes metastatic nodules from 3:
A useful mnemonic to remember the various causes can be found here.
See also
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1. Maile CW, Rodan BA, Godwin JD et-al. Calcification in pulmonary metastases. Br J Radiol. 1982;55 (650): 108-13. Pubmed citation
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2. Jimenez JM, Casey SO, Citron M et-al. Calcified pulmonary metastases from medullary carcinoma of the thyroid. Comput Med Imaging Graph. 1996;19 (4): 325-8. Pubmed citation
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3. Seo JB, Im JG, Goo JM et-al. Atypical pulmonary metastases: spectrum of radiologic findings. Radiographics. 2001;21 (2): 403-17. Radiographics (full text) - Pubmed citation
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4. Semple J & West L. Calcified pulmonary metastases from testicular and ovarian tumours; a report of two cases with long survival. Thorax. 1955;10(4):287-92. doi:10.1136/thx.10.4.287
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