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.