Phlebolith
Updates to Article Attributes
Phleboliths are literally "vein stones", and represent calcification within venous structures. They are particularly common in the pelvis where they may mimic ureteric calculi, and are also encountered frequently in venous malformations. There is an association with Maffucci syndrome.
Radiographic features
Phleboliths appear as focal calcifications, often with radiolucent centers (if present, a helpful sign to distinguish them from urolithiasis). This appearance is attributed to calcification peripherally within the vessel, and is frequently seen on abdominal radiographs (66% of phleboliths 2). It can also be seen on CT provided thin sections are obtained (at 5 mm thick slices radiolucent centers will be inapparent in 99% of phleboliths phleboliths 2).
Differential diagnosis
Two signs are helpful in distinguishing a ureteric calculus from a phlebolith:
- comet-tail sign: favours a phlebolith
- soft-tissue rim sign: favours a ureteric calculus
-<p><strong>Phleboliths</strong> are literally "vein stones", and represent calcification within venous structures. They are particularly common in the pelvis where they may mimic <a href="/articles/ureteric-calculi">ureteric calculi</a>, and are also encountered frequently in <a href="/articles/venous-malformations">venous malformations</a>. There is an association with <a href="/articles/maffucci-syndrome">Maffucci syndrome</a>. </p><h4>Radiographic features</h4><p>Phleboliths appear as focal calcifications, often with radiolucent centers (if present, a helpful sign to distinguish them from <a title="Urolithiasis" href="/articles/urolithiasis">urolithiasis</a>). This appearance is attributed to calcification peripherally within the vessel, and is frequently seen on abdominal radiographs (66% of phleboliths <sup>2</sup>). It can also be seen on CT provided thin sections are obtained (at 5 mm thick slices radiolucent centers will be inapparent in 99% of phleboliths <sup>2</sup>).</p><h4>Differential diagnosis</h4><p>Two signs are helpful in distinguishing a ureteric calculus from a phlebolith:</p><ol>- +<p><strong>Phleboliths</strong> are literally "vein stones", and represent calcification within venous structures. They are particularly common in the pelvis where they may mimic <a href="/articles/ureteric-calculi">ureteric calculi</a>, and are also encountered frequently in <a title="Soft tissue venous malformations" href="/articles/soft-tissue-venous-malformations">venous malformations</a>. There is an association with <a href="/articles/maffucci-syndrome">Maffucci syndrome</a>. </p><h4>Radiographic features</h4><p>Phleboliths appear as focal calcifications, often with radiolucent centers (if present, a helpful sign to distinguish them from <a href="/articles/urolithiasis">urolithiasis</a>). This appearance is attributed to calcification peripherally within the vessel, and is frequently seen on abdominal radiographs (66% of phleboliths <sup>2</sup>). It can also be seen on CT provided thin sections are obtained (at 5 mm thick slices radiolucent centers will be inapparent in 99% of phleboliths <sup>2</sup>).</p><h4>Differential diagnosis</h4><p>Two signs are helpful in distinguishing a ureteric calculus from a phlebolith:</p><ol>
-<a href="/articles/comet-tail-sign-urology-1">comet-tail sign</a>: favours a phlebolith</li>- +<a href="/articles/comet-tail-sign-phleboliths">comet-tail sign</a>: favours a phlebolith</li>
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