eggshell calcification

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Related to eggshell calcification: silicosis

calcification

[kal″sĭ-fĭ-ka´shun]

the deposit of calcium salts, mostly calcium phosphate, in body tissues. The normal absorption of calcium is facilitated by parathyroid hormone and by vitamin D. When there are increased amounts of parathyroid hormone in the blood (as in hyperparathyroidism), there is deposition of calcium in the alveoli of the lungs, the renal tubules, the thyroid gland, the gastric mucosa, and the arterial walls. Normally calcium is deposited in the bone matrix to insure stability and strength of the bone and in growing teeth.

dystrophic calcification the deposition of calcium in abnormal tissue, such as scar tissue or atherosclerotic plaques, without abnormalities of blood calcium.

eggshell calcification deposition of a thin layer of calcium around a thoracic lymph node, often seen in silicosis.

egg·shell cal·ci·fi·ca·tion

a thin layer of calcification around an intrathoracic lymph node, usually in silicosis, seen on a chest radiograph.

A thinned peripheral rim of calcium deposited in enlarged hilar and peribronchial lymph nodes, and seen on a plain film of the chest in up to 5% of patients with silicosis. It may also be seen with sarcoid, after radiation therapy to lymph nodes affected by lymphoma, as well as coal worker pneumoconiosis, amyloidosis, and scleroderma

egg·shell cal·ci·fi·ca·tion

(eg'shel kal'si-fi-kā'shŭn)

A thin layer of calcification around an intrathoracic lymph node, usually in silicosis, seen on a chest radiograph.

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References in periodicals archive ?

Eggshell calcification requires considerable ion transportation, especially [Ca.sup.2+], and various extracellular matrix synthesis and secretion, whether and how P2RX4 channels regulate these processes requires further studies.

Furthermore, Gene Ontology (GO) term enrichment of DE-transcripts suggests that avian eggshell calcification is likely to be regulated by relative reproductive hormones and neurotransmitters, which may finally affect eggshell quality through a complex suite of biophysical processes.

Microarray analysis of genes involved with shell strength in layer shell gland at the early stage of active calcification

If they are clearly benign, (vascular, popcorn or eggshell calcifications, or ductal ectasia) no further investigation is needed; if calcifications are not clearly benign, a comparison with previous films is in order.