Abdominal X-ray
Abnormal calcification
Vascular calcification
Calcification of arteries seen on x-rays is a sign of more generalised atherosclerosis.
Occasionally vascular calcification seen on an abdominal X-ray reveals an unexpected aneurysm. Remember that abdominal pain is not only caused by gastrointestinal disease.
Key points
- Don't forget non-gastrointestinal causes of abdominal pain
Other investigations
- An abdominal aortic aneurysm can often be seen with ultrasound but is more definitively assessed prior to treatment with CT
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Vascular calcification
- There is striking calcification of the aorta and iliac vessels
- This is a sign of generalised atherosclerosis elsewhere in the body
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Hover over image to show findings
Abdominal aortic aneurysm - AAA
- There is calcification of the dilated aortic wall
- As in this case often only one side of the aneurysm is visible - the other projected over the spine