Metastatic pulmonary calcification

By Peungjesada S, Baskin MH, Winer-Muram HT

CASE SUMMARY

Metastatic pulmonary calcification (MPC) may develop in patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism, related to end-stage renal disease (ESRD).1 The histologic pulmonary findings show calcium deposition in the lung interstitium, alveolar septa and bronchial walls.2 We present a patient with CT findings of MPC that resolved with medical treatment for secondary hyperparathyroidism. To our knowledge, complete resolution of metastatic pulmonary calcification following treatment has not been previously described in the literature.

IMAGING FINDINGS

A 39-year-old male presented with chest radiographic findings of bilateral upper lobe nodular opacities compatible with calcification (Figures 1). The patient was on hemodialysis treatment for the past five years for chronic renal failure due to biopsy proven focal sclerosing glomerulonephritis and longstanding hypertension. Additional illnesses included hypothyroidism and anemia. The patient had no respiratory complaints. Physical examination of the lungs was normal.

Chest CT scans showed scattered high attenuation focal nodular and broad linear opacities in the upper lobes measuring up to 210 HU (Figure 2A, 2B). Both lower lobes were spared. The findings were consistent with metastatic pulmonary calcification.

Laboratory results showed mild hypercalcemia, serum calcium levels up to 12.2 (normal, <10.6 mg/dL) and hyperparathyroidism, parathyroid hormone levels up to 3189 (normal, <65 pg/ml). Phosphate levels were not performed. Treatment with Sevelamer carbonate and lanthanum carbonate was initiated for hyperparathyroidism.

During the treatment for hyperparathyroidism the serum calcium, phosphate and parathyroid hormone levels varied from normal to elevated. Serum calcium levels varied from 5.7-11.8 (8.4-10.6 mg/dL), serum phosphate levels varied from 3.2-7.3 (2.5-4.9 mg/dL) and parathyroid hormone levels varied from 35.5-3116 (10-65 pg/ml).

A follow-up chest CT scan performed 18 months later revealed near complete resolution of the calcified focal air space consolidation in both upper lobes. A minimal scar remained in the left upper lobe while all other lesions resolved without scarring (Figure 3A, 3B).

Because the secondary hyperparathyroidism remained out of control, a subtotal parathyroidectomy was performed approximately one year after complete resolution of the metastatic pulmonary calcification. Post-operative parathyroid hormone levels gradually decreased to normal, 14 pg/ml.

DIAGNOSIS

Metastatic pulmonary calcification

DISCUSSION

We present a patient with metastatic pulmonary calcification. A most unusual finding was the complete resolution of pulmonary calcification after 18 months of medical treatment for secondary hyperparathyroidism. To our knowledge, complete resolution of metastatic pulmonary calcification has never been described in the literature. Partial resolution had been reported in one patient in a case series by Edson Marchiori, et al.3

Laboratory results showed serum calcium, phosphorus and parathyroid levels were elevated prior to medical treatment. After initiation of medical treatment serum levels fluctuated from normal to elevated, but the levels were trending toward normal. The trending to normal values with medical treatment may have been sufficient to promote dissolution of the pulmonary calcifications. Parathyroidectomy was performed for better control of the secondary hyperparathyroidism but the surgery was performed after the metastatic pulmonary calcifications had resolved.

Metastatic pulmonary calcification is a well-recognized complication of ESRD secondary to abnormal calcium metabolism.2,4 The process is poorly understood.5 Pathologically, there is deposition of calcium salt in lung interstitium, the alveolar and vessel wall of normal lung.6 Deposition of calcium and phosphate can occur in any tissue, most commonly in the lungs, but also in kidney and stomach.7

The actual cause of metastatic pulmonary calcification is presumably related to the balance of serum calcium, phosphate and vitamin D.1,8 Reported risk factors include hypercalcemia, hyperphosphatemia, and elevated plasma calcium-phosphate product. The most common presentation is in patients on hemodialysis for chronic renal failure with secondary hyperparathyroidism (Kuhlman JE-Radiology (1990)) as seen in our case. The incidence of metastatic pulmonary calcification is found up to 60 percent to 75 percent in autopsy of hemodialysis patients.8

Metastatic pulmonary calcification may also develop in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism; malignancy, including multiple myeloma and parathyroid carcinoma; protein C deficiency; hypervitaminosis D, milk-alkali syndrome or receiving warfarin therapy.1,5,7,9,10,11 Patients are usually asymptomatic but fatal respiratory failure can occur in some cases.3

Most of the patients are asymptomatic; however, fatal pulmonary complications can occur such as restricted lung function due to fibrosis, hypoxia and respiratory failure.12 Diagnosis sometime can be difficult since the autopsy is rarely performed.13

Imaging in patients susceptible to this condition may inadvertently suggest the diagnosis. Chest radiographs can demonstrate the development of pulmonary opacities but are not effective for calcium detection.3 However, the chest radiograph may provide a clue for further investigation with chest CT.

Chest CT and Tc-99m bone imaging have been reported to be most useful for diagnosis.15 Chest CT can be used to characterize the pattern and location of calcium deposition. The upper lobe predominance as demonstrated in our case can be explained by the alkaline environment in the upper lobes that promotes the precipitation of calcium salts.3 Upper-lobe alkalinity can be explained by an increased upper lobe ventilation perfusion ratio (3:1) compared to the lower lung V/Q ratio (0.6:1).

The most common CT parenchymal finding is centrilobular ground glass nodular opacities ranging from 3-10 mm in diameter. Other patterns include multiple diffuse calcified nodules, diffuse or patchy ground glass opacities, or high attenuation parenchymal consolidation in a lobar distribution.15,16,17 Calcification, if present, can have various features, including punctuate, ring-like pattern or diffuse calcification.3,15,18 A well-recognized finding in 99m Tc methylene diphosphonate (MDP) bone scintigraphy is intense accumulation of the radioactive tracer in both lungs, stomach and kidneys.19

MRI is not the modality of choice for this entity, but it may inadvertently show pulmonary calcification. The signal intensity of the calcification is unusual, demonstrating low signal intensity on T1WI and isosignal intensity on T2WI compared to the skeletal muscles, according to B. Hochhegger, et al.4

The differential diagnosis for pulmonary calcification includes dystrophic calcification in a prior injured lung as seen with infection mostly from tuberculosis or histoplasmosis, pulmonary hematoma or infarction, amyloidosis, necrotic tumors and other etiologies.7

A limitation of our report is the lack of pathological proof to support our diagnosis. Our radiologic diagnosis was based on the patient’s clinical presentation and diagnostic imaging features.

CONCLUSION

Metastatic pulmonary calcification in ESRD patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism can resolve completely with medical treatment as demonstrated n our patient.

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Peungjesada S, Baskin MH, Winer-Muram HT. (Jan 07, 2016). Metastatic pulmonary calcification. Appl Radiol. 2016; 45(1):31-33.
Prepared by Dr. Peungjesada, Dr. Baskin, and Dr. Winer-Muram while at Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN.
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