Calcification

Many intra-abdominal structures may calcify and become visible on plain x-ray. Some are of little significance, such as costal cartilages, phleboliths, mesenteric lymph nodes and distal blood vessels.

Others of more significance include:

• Renal calculi (90% radio opaque) (Fig 1)
• Gallstones (10% radio opaque) (Fig 2)
• Pancreas in chronic pancreatitis
• Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) (Fig 3)
• Fibroids (Fig 4)
• Prostate
• Appendicolith