Calcification in the liver and portal system

Abstract

Calcification in the portal system and liver is uncommon. The authors describe 3 patients in whom portal calcification was found. This was associated with cirrhosis in 1 patient and portal hypertension due to thrombosis of the portal vein in the other 2. The authors also observed 3 patients with calcification in the liver. In one patient this was due to a primary carcinoma of the liver, in the second to a bile duct carcinoma and in the third, calcification was found in a gumma. The differential diagnosis of hepatic calcification is discussed in considerable detail. The significance of finding calcification in a cirrhotic liver is discussed, as this is strong presumptive evidence of the development of malignancy. Calcification in the portal system and liver is uncommon. The authors describe 3 patients in whom portal calcification was found. This was associated with cirrhosis in 1 patient and portal hypertension due to thrombosis of the portal vein in the other 2. The authors also observed 3 patients with calcification in the liver. In one patient this was due to a primary carcinoma of the liver, in the second to a bile duct carcinoma and in the third, calcification was found in a gumma. The differential diagnosis of hepatic calcification is discussed in considerable detail. The significance of finding calcification in a cirrhotic liver is discussed, as this is strong presumptive evidence of the development of malignancy.