Fulminant pulmonary calcification complicating renal transplantation: CT demonstration

Abstract

The authors report a case of fulminant, metastatic lung calcification leading to progressive respiratory failure in a patient who underwent unsuccessful renal transplantation. Premortem computed tomographic (CT) examination of the lung demonstrated the presence of high-attenuation (greater than 100 HU) parenchymal consolidation, compatible with metastatic calcium deposition. By depicting significant pulmonary calcification not seen on conventional radiographs, CT facilitated identification of an important contributing factor to the patient's respiratory failure and death.