Lecture on Soft Tissue Calcifications

Introduction

• Importance:
  • Essential radiological diagnosis topic.
  • Requires understanding of radiographic anatomy.
• Study Resources:
  • Study objectives in the guide.
  • Prescribed textbook: White and Pharaoh.

Radiographic Anatomy Overview

• Importance:
  • Essential for diagnosing soft tissue calcifications.
  • Combines pattern and anatomical location.
• Key Anatomy Points in Radiographs:
  • Cervical spine, neck soft tissue, maxillary sinuses, zygomatic arch, nasal septum, airway space, tongue, epiglottis, hyoid bone, external auditory meatus, mastoid cells.

Soft Tissue Anatomy on CBCT Scans

• Identify Key Anatomy:
  • Frontal sinus, sella turcica, sphenoidal sinuses, maxilla, incisive canal, hard and soft palate, tongue, epiglottis, genial tubercles, nasal bone.

Types of Calcifications

1. Idiopathic Calcification:
   • Unknown cause.
2. Dystrophic Calcifications:
   • Occurs in dead/dying tissues (e.g., inflammation, necrosis).
3. Metastatic Calcification:
   • Occurs in normal tissue due to increased calcium levels (e.g., hyperparathyroidism).

Diagnostic Approach

• Importance of Radiological Reports:
  • Note and report all calcifications.
  • Refer if necessary.

Types of Soft Tissue Calcifications

Heterotrophic Calcification

• Dystrophic Calcification Examples:
  • Lymph nodes, tonsils, arterial calcifications.
• Idiopathic Calcifications:
  • Thyroid cartilage, salivary glands, veins, sinuses.

Heterotrophic Ossification

• Forms Bony Structures:
  • Stylohyoid ligament ossification.

Detailed Discussion on Calcifications

Dystrophic Calcifications

• Lymph Nodes:
  • Cauliflower-like appearance.
  • Common in TB infections.
  • Importance of lymph node anatomy.
• Tonsils (Tonsilloliths):
  • Spec-like calcifications.
  • Associated with repeated inflammation.
• Arterial (Carotid Artery):
  • Located at bifurcation of carotid artery.
  • Important to identify for cardiovascular health.

Idiopathic Calcifications

• Thyroid and Triticeous Cartilage:
  • Eye-like presentation.
• Sialoliths (Salivary Gland Stones):
  • Common in submandibular glands.
  • Homogeneous, round calcifications.
• Phleboliths:
  • Occur in veins, look like bull's-eye.
• Antroliths/Rhinoliths:
  • Calcifications in sinuses/nasal cavity.

Metastatic Calcifications

• Causes:
  • Hypercalcemia, malignancies.
  • Hyperparathyroidism (stones, bones, groans).

Conclusion

• Importance of Anatomy:
  • Understanding anatomy is crucial for diagnosis.
• Further Study and Practice:
  • Review radiographs to identify calcifications.
  • Contact lecturer for questions via email.