eggshell calcification

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.