Metastatic pulmonary calcification: First report of pulmonary calcium suppression using dual-energy CT

Abstract

Metastatic pulmonary calcification is an underdiagnosed metabolic lung disease characterized by diffuse calcium deposition in the lungs, often associated with secondary hyperparathyroidism due to chronic renal failure. A 31-year-old man with chronic renal failure initially presented with diffuse pain symptoms, deterioration of general condition, and respiratory insufficiency. Noncontrast-enhanced computed tomography of the chest was performed using a spectral-detector-based dual-energy CT. It showed multiple, centrilobular, ground-glass opacities, and nodules, ultimately leading to the diagnosis. Calcium suppression proved to be highly useful to classify the pulmonary alterations.

Keywords

• Metastatic pulmonary calcification
• Dual-energy CT
• Spectral-detector CT
• Calcium suppression
• Chronic renal failure
• Secondary hyperparathyroidism