Abstract
Objective
To review commonly encountered calcifications found within the abdomen as seen on the lumbar spine radiograph and to determine which advanced imaging modality is best to thoroughly assess the patient.
Methods
Searches of electronic databases and textbooks were conducted to construct this narrative overview.
Discussion
By categorizing the type of calcification and localizing it anatomically, most often a definitive diagnosis can be reached. Two commonly encountered conditions, abdominal aortic aneurysms and urinary calculi, are used to compare the main advanced imaging modalities (diagnostic ultrasound and computed tomography) used to further assess abdominal calcifications.
Conclusion
In most circumstances, either diagnostic ultrasound or computed tomography will establish a definitive diagnosis and offer thorough imaging assessment for abdominal calcifications.
Key Indexing Terms: Radiography, Abdominal; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Ultrasonography
Footnotes
Sources of support: no funding was provided for this study.
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