Prevalence of ligamentum arteriosum calcification on multi-section spiral CT and digital radiography

To investigate the prevalence of ligamentum arteriosum calcification (LAC) on multi-section spiral CT and digital radiography. Five hundred and eight children and 232 adults who performed multi-section chest CT were included in this study and were divided into nine age groups: A (0–5 years), B (6–10 years), C (11–15 years), D (16–20 years), E (21–30 years), F (31–40 years), G (41–50 years), H (51–60 years), and I (61–70 years). Two radiologists assessed the presence of LAC on axial and coronal CT images, defined as focal calcific density on both or on one plane with attenuation >100 Hounsfield unit. The prevalence of LAC on CT was compared between children and adults, and between unenhanced and enhanced CT in children. The prevalence of LAC on digital radiography was evaluated in 476 children. The prevalence of definite LAC on unenhanced multi-section CT was significantly higher in children (37.8 %) than in adults (11.2 %) ( P