Pancreatic Calcification

 

This Hologic DXA scan shows a calcified pancreas overlying L1. There is an IVC filter overlying L2-L3. This means that there would only be one useable vertebral body, so the spine would not be reported.

The accompanying radiographs show the calcified pancrease as well as the IVC filter.

Case Description:

This is the DXA scan from a patient with a calcified pancreas. There is also an IVC filter over L2-L3. Only one vertebral body is useful, so the spine was not reported. The accompanying radiographs are included. The calcified pancreas over a vertebral body would overestimate bone mineral density

Credit:

Sarah L Morgan, MD, RD, CCD, The University of Alabama at Birmingham

References:

• Haas, S., et al., Altered bone metabolism and bone density in patients with chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic exocrine insufficiency. JOP, 2015. 16(1): p. 58-62.