Coarse Horsehoe Shaped Calcifications

The CT scan of the pelvis is from a 56 year old man. Curvilinear or almost horseshoe calcifications are noted posteriorly in the prostate. These coarse calcifications are common and “normal” findings occurring in men after the age of 50 commonly as a result of dystrophic calcification of thickened secretions that occur with advancing age. These secretions are called corpora amylacea. Calcification of the prostate gland is most commonly caused by benign prostatic hypertrophy or chronic prostatitis. The calcifications can be identified at or below the pubic symphisis. When the gland is hypertrophied they may project above the symphysis. Calculi may form within the prostate gland in dilated prostatic or in the parenchyma. Other causes of prostatic calcifications include prostatic calculi secondary to urethral stricture and TB of the prostate

Image Courtesy Ashley Davidoff MD Copyright 2010 Copyright 2010 98693cL