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Arterial splenic calcifications in children with AIDS: two case reports
Eduard Ghersin1, Berta M Montalvo
1Department of Diagnostic Radiology (R-109), Division of Body Imaging, University of Miami School of Medicine, P.O. Box 016960, FL 33101, USA.
Pediatric Radiology
|April 17, 2002
Summary
Linear splenic calcifications in children with AIDS may indicate HIV-associated vasculopathy, differing from typical round calcifications caused by infections. This finding highlights a unique ultrasonographic pattern in pediatric HIV. Keywords: splenic calcifications, pediatric HIV, vasculopathy, ultrasonography.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Pediatric Imaging
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Splenic calcifications in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients are commonly observed.
- These calcifications are typically round and associated with opportunistic infections like Pneumocystis carinii, Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare, and Cytomegalovirus.
Observation:
- A distinctive ultrasonographic pattern of the spleen was noted in two pediatric patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
- This pattern was characterized by linear, branching calcifications within the splenic parenchymal arteries.
Findings:
- The observed linear, branching splenic calcifications represent a novel echopattern.
- This pattern differs significantly from the usual round calcifications seen in AIDS patients due to infections.
Implications:
- The findings suggest that this unique splenic echopattern may be a manifestation of HIV-associated vasculopathy in pediatric patients.
- This ultrasonographic finding could aid in the diagnosis and understanding of vascular complications in pediatric HIV.
- Further research is warranted to confirm the association between this pattern and HIV-associated vasculopathy.