Myocardial Calcification

Pathophysiology:  Almost always secondary to an old infarct.  Rarely may be due to dystrophic calcification following surgery of trauma or contusion.  Infection (eg. tuberculosis) and tumours with matrix calcifications are rare causes.  Often associated with a post infarct pseudo-aneurysm of a ventricle.

CXR Findings:

1.      enlarged heart with left ventricular dilatation (typical but not always)

2.      curvilinear calcification located in at least one plane within the myocardium itself and not peripherally (pericardial calcification)

3.      often in the bulge of the pseudoaneurysm

Clues:  Clinically will be seen in ischemic heart patients with history of infarction.

“Aunt Sophies”:  Need to distinguish from pericardial calcification.