Metastatic pulmonary calcification (MPC) is a subdiagnosed metabolic lung disease that is commonly associated with end-stage renal disease. This interstitial process is characterized by the deposition of calcium salts predominantly in the alveolar epithelial basement membranes. MPC is seen at autopsy in 60-75% of patients with renal failure. It is often asymptomatic, but can potentially progress to respiratory failure. Chest radiographs are frequently normal or demonstrate confluent or patchy airspace opacities. Three patterns visible on high-resolution computed tomography have been described: multiple diffuse calcified nodules, diffuse or patchy areas of ground-glass opacity or consolidation, and confluent high-attenuation parenchymal consolidation. The relative stability of these pulmonary infiltrates, in contrast to infectious processes, and their resistance to treatment, in the clinical context of hypercalcemia, are of diagnostic value. Scintigraphy with bone-seeking radionuclides may demonstrate increased radioactive isotope uptake. The resolution of pulmonary calcification in chronic renal failure may occur after parathyroidectomy, renal transplantation, or dialysis. Thus, the early diagnosis of MPC is beneficial. The aim of this review is to describe the main clinical, pathological, and imaging aspects of MPC.

Certain imaging characteristics of pulmonary cysts, including size and location, can suggest the diagnosis of BHDS based on chest computed tomography alone. The main concern in patients with BHDS is the increased risk of renal carcinoma. The aim of this review is to describe the main pathological, clinical, and imaging aspects of BHDS, ranging from its genetic basis to treatment, with emphasis on pulmonary involvement.

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ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings in patients diagnosed with metastatic pulmonary calcification (MPC).Materials and MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the HRCT findings from 23 cases of MPC [14 men, 9 women; mean age, 54.3 (range, 26-89) years]. The patients were examined between 2000 and 2014 in nine tertiary hospitals in Brazil, Chile, and Canada. Diagnoses were established by histopathologic study in 18 patients and clinical-radiological correlation in 5 patients. Two chest radiologists analyzed the images and reached decisions by consensus.ResultsThe predominant HRCT findings were centrilobular ground-glass nodules (n = 14; 60.9%), consolidation with high attenuation (n = 10; 43.5%), small dense nodules (n = 9; 39.1%), peripheral reticular opacities associated with small calcified nodules (n = 5; 21.7%), and ground-glass opacities without centrilobular ground-glass nodular opacity (n = 5; 21.7%). Vascular calcification within the chest wall was found in four cases and pleural effusion was observed in five cases. The abnormalities were bilateral in 21 cases.ConclusionMPC manifested with three main patterns on HRCT, most commonly centrilobular ground-glass nodules, often containing calcifications, followed by dense consolidation and small solid nodules, most of which were calcified. We also described another pattern of peripheral reticular opacities associated with small calcified nodules. These findings should suggest the diagnosis of MPC in the setting of hypercalcemia.

A tumorlike condition of the pleura is any nonmalignant lesion of the pleura or within the pleural space that could be confused with a pleural tumor on initial imaging. Tumorlike conditions of the pleura are relatively rare compared with neoplastic lesions such as mesotheliomas and metastases. Imaging-based diagnosis of these conditions can be difficult due to the similarity of appearance. Thus, recognition of certain imaging patterns and interpretation of these patterns in the clinical context are important. Pleural endometriosis, thoracic splenosis, thoracolithiasis, foreign bodies, pleural pseudotumors and pleural plaques are significant examples of focal tumorlike conditions discussed in this article. Computed tomography is the mainstay imaging technique for the primary assessment of pleural disease, but other imaging methods, such as magnetic resonance imaging and positron-emission tomography, can be of great support in the diagnosis.