A ganglion can calcify. In the majority of cases, a calcified lymph node is benign and just the after-effect of an infection or treatment. Explanations.
Definition: what is a calcified lymph node?
“A calcified lymph node is a lymph node that contains calcium deposits visible on imaging“explains Dr. Samia Boussouar, radiologist. All lymph nodes can become calcified (we have lymph nodes throughout the body except in the brain). “The calcified nodes are observed rather especially at the level of the thorax, but also of the abdomen and the neck“Tells us the radiologist.
Why does a ganglion calcify?
“The lymph node calcifications are most often sequelae of inflammation or infection such as sarcoidosis, tuberculosis, or treatment (radiotherapy, chemotherapy) for lymphoma” indicates Dr. Boussouar. Certain diseases linked to occupational exposures such as silicosis can also lead to calcification of lymph nodes. Very rarely, a calcified lymph node is a cancer lymph node metastasis.
What are the symptoms in case of calcified ganglion?
A calcified ganglion does not give no symptoms since it is in fact a sequel to an inflammatory or infectious process or a treatment. “It’s a sign of healing also most often we trivialize this calcified ganglion” reassures Dr. Samia Boussouar.
Is a calcified lymph node a sign of cancer?
“Lymph node metastases are very rarely calcified“ emphasizes the doctor. And it’s not this calcified ganglion that reveals the tumor. “The calcified ganglion is in the background. It is the extension assessment in imaging of the tumor that can reveal a ganglion. We do not diagnose cancer on a calcified lymph node metastasis except in very special cases”.
Which examinations to recognize a calcified lymph node?
The reference examination to see a calcified lymph node, and in general to observe the lymph nodes (size, morphology, calcifications, etc.) is the to scan. “A chest or abdominal x-ray makes it possible to discover very large calcified lymph nodes or if they are very numerous” says the radiologist.
Most often it is a healing process after inflammation or infection. The lymph node that was inflamed is healing. This is why a calcified lymph node is almost always benign and does not require treatment.
Thanks to Dr. Samia Boussouar, radiologist in the Cardiovascular and Thoracic Imaging Department (ICT) – Pitié-Salpêtrière University Hospital Group Hospital, and member of the board of the Thoracic Imaging Society (SIT).