Computerized tomography in occlusive infantile arteriopathy

Abstract

Use of computerized tomography (CT) in the diagnosis of arterial calcification of infancy, including coronary obstructive disease, has not been previously reported. We were able to demonstrate by CT scan the abnormal arteries present in this disease. The calcified arteries in this infant, who died of bowel infarction at three weeks of age, were easily delineated in CT scans of the chest, abdomen, and extremities. Autopsy sections revealed intact elastic fibers in the abnormal arteries, indicating that the basic pathologic process does not primarily involve these fibers.