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Ligamentum arteriosum calcification on paediatric postmortem computed tomography
Natasha Davendralingam1,2, Susan C Shelmerdine3,4,5, J Ciaran Hutchinson6
1Department of Clinical Radiology, Royal London Hospital, London, UK.
Insights
Ligamentum arteriosum calcification is common in children under 8 years old, particularly visible on postmortem CT scans. Recognizing this finding prevents unnecessary investigations during autopsy.
Area of Science:
- Forensic imaging
- Pediatric radiology
- Anatomical pathology
Background:
- Ligamentum arteriosum calcification is a potentially normal finding in children.
- The frequency of this condition in pediatric populations is not well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the frequency of ligamentum arteriosum calcification in children using postmortem imaging.
- To compare the detection rates between postmortem CT and radiography.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of pediatric postmortem CT and chest radiographs (2012-2018).
- Two independent reviewers assessed calcification presence.
- Descriptive statistical analysis of frequency, age, and gender associations.
Main Results:
- Calcification detected in 30.5% of postmortem CTs vs. 1.6% of radiographs.
- Highest frequency observed in children aged 1-7 years (53.6-66.7%).
- No gender predilection; frequency decreased in older children, absent after 12 years.
Conclusions:
- Ligamentum arteriosum calcification is a common postmortem finding in children under 8 years.
- Postmortem CT is superior to radiography for identifying this calcification.
- Awareness of this common finding aids radiologists in avoiding unnecessary autopsies.
Background:
Ligamentum arteriosum calcification may be a normal finding in some children, although the frequency has not been well described.
Objective:
To estimate the frequency of ligamentum arteriosum calcification in children at postmortem imaging.
Materials And Methods:
We conducted a single-centre retrospective review of paediatric postmortem CT and chest radiographic imaging over a 6-year period (January 2012 to December 2018). Two independent reviewers assessed the presence of calcification on imaging. We calculated descriptive statistical analysis of ligamentum arteriosum calcification frequency and association with age and gender.
Results:
During the study period, 220 children underwent whole-body postmortem CT and 182 underwent radiographic imaging. The frequency was higher on postmortem CT than plain radiographs (67/220, 30.5% vs. 3/182, 1.6%) and was highest in children ages 1-7 years (53.6-66.7%), with gradual reduction in frequency in older children, and none in children older than 12 years. There was no gender predilection.
Conclusion:
In the postmortem setting, ligamentum arteriosum calcification is a common finding in children <8 years of age. It can be better identified on postmortem CT than chest radiographs. Radiologists new to reporting postmortem paediatric CT studies should recognise this as a common normal finding to avoid unnecessary further investigations at autopsy.
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