Intra-abdominal calcification (neonatal)

Last revised by Henry Knipe on 9 Oct 2017

Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data

Citation:

Jones J, Knipe H, Teaching M, et al. Intra-abdominal calcification (neonatal). Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 18 Apr 2024) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-17046

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-17046

Permalink:

https://radiopaedia.org/articles/17046

rID:

17046

Article created:

12 Mar 2012, Jeremy Jones ◉

Disclosures:

At the time the article was created Jeremy Jones had no recorded disclosures.

View Jeremy Jones's current disclosures

Last revised:

9 Oct 2017, Henry Knipe ◉ ◈

Disclosures:

At the time the article was last revised Henry Knipe had no recorded disclosures.

View Henry Knipe's current disclosures

Revisions:

4 times, by 4 contributors - see full revision history and disclosures

Systems:

Gastrointestinal, Urogenital, Paediatrics

Sections:

Gamuts

Synonyms:

Intra-abdominal calcifications (neonatal)
Intra-abdominal calcification (neonate)
Intra-abdominal calcification in a neonate
Intra-abdominal calcification in the neonate
Neonatal intra-abdominal calcification

Intra-abdominal calcification in a neonate can be caused by a number of pathologies that cause calcification within the peritoneal space or within organs.

Pathology

Aetiology

Meconium peritonitis

The commonest cause is meconium peritonitis which is the result of aseptic peritonitis secondary to antenatal bowel perforation. Intra-peritoneal meconium calcifies rapidly resulting in peritoneal calcification although the bowel wall and even the scrotum can be involved.

The cause for antenatal perforation may be meconium ileus, ileal atresia or any other pathology that causes distal intestinal obstruction in a neonate.

Meconium pseudocyst

Meconium pseudocysts can be thought of as a localised version of meconium peritonitis where an antenatal perforation is walled off early and subsequently undergoes calcification creating a cyst-like structure.

Intraluminal meconium calcification

Where meconium in the bowel of a neonate is static, calcification can occur. The result is intraluminal meconium calcification and it may be the result of any distal intestinal obstruction.