Incidental findings in post-mortem CT: Calcified ligamentum arteriosum

Ligamentum arteriosum calcification on paediatric postmortem computed tomography

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.