CALCIFICATION OF THE LIGAMENTUM ARTERIOSUM IN ADULTS - CT FEATURES

Objective: The present study describes the frequency and pattern of li gamentum arteriosum calcification seen on chest CT in adults. Material s and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 402 sequential unenhanced c hest CT studies for ligamentum arteriosum calcification, atherosclerot ic cardiac or aortic calcification, and granulomatous calcification. T he pattern of calcification was characterized as curvilinear, punctate , or clumped. Results: Mean patient age was 60 (+/-18, range 18-97) ye ars with 214 women (53%) and 188 men (47%). Of these patients 194 (48% ) had calcification in the ligamentum arteriosum including 26 (6%) wit h calcification in the ligamentum arteriosum alone, 108 (27%) with ath erosclerotic calcification, 11 (3%) with granulomatous calcification, and 49 (12%) with both. A total of 100 patients (25%) had no calcifica tions. In the study population 169 patients (42%) had atherosclerotic calcification, 32 (8%) had granulomatous calcification, and 75 (19%) h ad both. The patterns of calcification for the 26 patients with calcif ication of the ligamentum arteriosum alone were curvilinear (7 patient s, 27%), punctate (17 patients, 65%), and clumped (2 patients, 8%). Th e pattern of ligamentum arteriosum calcification for the 108 patients with only atherosclerotic and ligamentum arteriosum calcification was curvilinear (28 patients, 26%), punctate (32 patients, 30%), and clump ed (48 patients, 44%). The patients without any calcifications and the patients with ligamentum arteriosum calcification formed one group (b ased on their similarity in age, mean 47 years) with a prevalence of l igamentum arteriosum calcification of 21%. The patients with atheroscl erotic and ligamentum arteriosum calcification formed a second group ( mean age 71 years) with a prevalence of ligamentum arteriosum calcific ation of 65%. Conclusion: On unenhanced chest CT calcification of the ligamentum arteriosum is a common finding in adults and increases in p revalence with increasing age and atherosclerosis.