Vein Calcification Research Articles

Idiopathic hepatic vein calcification

This case represents the first reported patient with idiopathic hepatic vein calcification.

Idiopathic mesenteric phlebosclerosis associated with long-term oral intake of geniposide.

BACKGROUNDIdiopathic mesenteric phlebosclerosis (IMP) is a rare disease, and its etiology and risk factors remain uncertain.AIMTo investigate the possible influence of Chinese herbal liquid containing geniposide on IMP.METHODSThe detailed formula of herbal liquid prescriptions of all patients was studied, and the herbal ingredients were compared to identify the toxic agent as a possible etiological factor. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) and colonoscopy images were reviewed to determine the extent and severity of mesenteric phlebosclerosis and the presence of findings regarding colitis. The disease CT score was determined by the distribution of mesenteric vein calcification and colon wall thickening on CT images. The drinking index of medicinal liquor was calculated from the daily quantity and drinking years of Chinese medicinal liquor. Subsequently, Spearman’s correlation analysis was conducted to evaluate the correlation between the drinking index and the CT disease score.RESULTSThe mean age of the 8 enrolled patients was 75.7 years and male predominance was found (all 8 patients were men). The patients had histories of 5-40 years of oral Chinese herbal liquids containing geniposide and exhibited typical imaging characteristics (e.g., threadlike calcifications along the colonic and mesenteric vessels or associated with a thickened colonic wall in CT images). Calcifications were confined to the right-side mesenteric vein in 6 of the 8 patients (75%) and involved the left-side mesenteric vein of 2 cases (25%) and the calcifications extended to the mesorectum in 1 of them. The thickening of colon wall mainly occurred in the right colon and the transverse colon. The median disease CT score was 4.88 (n = 7) and the median drinking index was 5680 (n = 7). After Spearman’s correlation analysis, the median CT score of the disease showed a significant positive correlation with the median drinking index (r = 0.842, P < 0.05).CONCLUSIONLong-term oral intake of Chinese herbal liquid containing geniposide may play a role in the pathogenesis of IMP.

Calcification of Human Saphenous Vein Associated with Endothelial Dysfunction: A Pilot Histopathophysiological and Demographical Study.

While the pathophysiology and clinical significance of arterial calcifications have been studied extensively, minimal focus has been placed on venous calcification deposition. In this study, we evaluated the association between calcium deposition in human saphenous vein (HSV), endothelial function, and patient demographic risk factors. Fifty-four HSV segments were collected at the time of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. The presence or absence of calcium deposits was visualized using the Von Kossa staining method. Endothelial function was determined by measuring muscle tissue contraction with phenylephrine and relaxation with carbachol in a muscle bath. Additional segments of vein underwent histologic evaluation for preexisting intimal thickness and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition. Patient demographics data were obtained through our institution’s electronic medical record, with patient consent. Calcium was present in 16 of 54 samples (29.6%). Veins with calcium deposits had significantly greater intimal-to-medial thickness ratios (p = 0.0058) and increased extracellular collagen deposition (p = 0.0077). Endothelial relaxation was significantly compromised in calcified veins vs. those without calcium (p = 0.0011). Significant patient risk factors included age (p = 0.001) and preoperative serum creatinine (p = 0.017). Calcified veins can be characterized as having endothelial dysfunction with increased basal intimal thickness and increased ECM deposition. Patient risk factors for calcium deposits in veins were similar to those for arteries, namely, advanced age and kidney disease. Further studies are needed to determine the effect of preexisting vein calcification on short- and long-term graft patency.

Chronological Progress of Calcified Lesion in the Iliofemoral Vein in a Patient with Chronic Renal Failure

We report the case of a 64-year-old man refered to our department for edema and tiredness in legs, who had been followed up for chronic renal failure and secondary hyperparathyroidism. He had no history of medical treatment for deep venous thrombosis, however, computed tomography (CT) revealed extensive calcification in veins of the lower half of the body. Since peripheral venous calcification is a rare disease and advances slowly, imaging the chronological progress of calcification is difficult. This case suggests the usefulness of CT for diagnosing and treating peripheral venous calcification.

Pulmonary vein calcification by EBCT in patients with drug refractory nonvalular atrial fibrillation

Pulmonary veins in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) have been shown to be highly arrhythmogenic. Calcification in these veins may play an adjunctive role in the pathogenesis of AF. A case control study was performed in patients with drug refractory nonvalvular AF whose preablation computed tomography chest scans demonstrated pulmonary vein (PV) calcification. Eight out of 48 patients with PV calcification were compared to 50 patients without AF who underwent electron beam computed tomography coronary artery calcium scores. These patients were matched for age, gender, coronary artery calcium scores, and the presence of PV calcification. The mean age of the combined group was 57 +/- 9 years and 60% were men. The mean total PV calcium score was significantly higher at 199 +/- 112 in patients with AF compared to 106 +/- 52 in controls (p = 0.018). Men had significantly higher total PV calcium score than women in both groups. Total PV calcium score was significantly higher in patients with atrial fibrillation. Increased PV calcification may play an adjunctive role in the pathogenesis in initiating and maintaining AF.

Prenatal Calcification of the Inferior Vena Cava and Renal Veins in a Normal Neonate

Prenatal calcification of the inferior vena cava (IVC) and renal veins is a rare condition with unclear etiology and prognosis. It occurs with renal vein thrombosis in utero and is associated with congenital anomalies and abnormal prenatal hemodynamic status. We report a rare case of prenatal IVC and renal vein calcification in a normal neonate without any history of compromised prenatal or perinatal condition, or significant deterioration of kidney function.

Calcified Portal Vein Aneurysm and Porto–hepatic Venous Shunt in a Patient with Liver Cirrhosis

Patients with cirrhosis often require abdominal ultrasound to exclude complications including portal hypertension and hepatoma. Splenomegaly, porto–systemic shunts and ascites are common findings in portal hypertension. Other associations such as portal vein aneurysm, portal vein calcification and intrahepatic hepatoportal venous shunts are less commonly found. We report a patient with portal hypertension secondary to hepatitis C cirrhosis with all these uncommon findings.

A case of liver cirrhosis with portal vein calcification associated with hypoglycemia induced by branched chain amino acid solution

A case of liver cirrhosis with portal vein calcification associated with hypoglycemia induced by branched chain amino acid solution

Computed tomographic demonstration of “coronaryrd” collateral vein calcification and patent spleno-renal shunt— A case report

A case of hepatoma associated with previously treated portal hypertension and calcification of the portal veins, collaterals, and superior mesenteric veins was demonstrated by CT, as was the patent splenorenal shunt and ascites. Computed tomography successfully demonstrated all these aspects of the case by plain scans and the use of angiotomography with rapid sequential sections using the multiple bolus technique of contrast enhancement.

Calcifications of cerebral medullary veins associated with carotid-jugular fistula

Unusual calcification of the cerebral medullary veins is noted in a 34-year-old mentally retarded female who had a right carotid-jugular anastomosis 30 years earlier. The patient was hospitalized because of a right neck mass, proptosis, and the recent onset of left flaccid hemiplegia. Arch aortography and CT of the head and neck were performed. Surgery to oblate the fistula provided dramatic relief of venous engorgement in the orbits and face. The finding of medullary vein calcification is emphasized because it is a hitherto unreported entity.