popcorn calcification


popcorn calcification

a cluster of sharply defined, irregularly lobulated, calcifications, usually in a pulmonary nodule; characteristic of hamartoma on chest x-ray examination.
Bone A descriptive term for clusters of small scalloped radiolucencies with sclerotic margins seen in the epiphysis and metaphysis of actively growing knees and ankles of children with osteogenesis imperfecta. Popcorn calcification may be due to fragmentation and disordered maturation of the epiphysis in the face of an irregular or defective growth plate, resulting in severe growth retardation
Lung A descriptor for the puffed and lobulated appearance typical of a well-circumscribed calcified solitary hamartoma, seen on a plain AP film of the chest; multiple ‘popcorn’ nodularities are suggestive of pulmonary histoplasmosis
Muscle A term referring to the radiologic appearance of flocculent, amorphous calcification within solid masses, often indicating smooth muscle calcification, e.g. calcified fibroids/leiomyomas
Soft tissue A descriptive term for the multilobated radiologic appearance of a chondrosarcoma
Synovium The popcorn morphology refers to rounded multilobulated masses seen in the peri-articular region in synovial chondromatosis or in enchondromas, differentiating these from the radiologically similar low-grade chondrosarcomas

popcorn calcification

Popcorn densities Bone A descriptor for clusters of small scalloped radiolucencies with sclerotic margins seen in the epiphysis and metaphysis of actively growing knees and ankles of children with osteogenesis imperfecta; PC may be due to fragmentation and disordered maturation of the epiphysis with an irregular or defective growth plate, resulting in severe growth retardation Lung A descriptor for the puffed and lobulated appearance typical of a well-circumscribed calcified solitary hamartoma, seen on a plain AP CXR; multiple 'popcorn' nodularities are suggestive of pulmonary histoplasmosis and may be seen on a plain CXR.

popcorn calcification

In radiologic imaging, the appearance of calcium deposits in lesions in irregularly lobulated or scalloped clusters rather than in concentric circles, straight lines, or dense masses. The lesions may appear in pulmonary hamatomas and in the growth plates and metaphyses of bones in some benign diseases, e.g., osteogenesis imperfecta. See also: calcification