Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Various methods to quantify calcified coronary plaque have been used in common clinical practice in the past few decades to compliment cardiovascular risk assessment. The estimation of calcium load in other organs and conditions has been at best semi-quantitative. Patients with long-standing hypoparathyroidism are known to suffer with nephrocalcinosis and basal ganglia calcification. We attempted to quantify end-organ calcium burden in a series of patients with various forms of hypoparathyroidism by use of a modified Agatston score.

Patients and Methods: Five patients (4 females and one male, median age 30 years) with various forms of permanent hypoparathyroidism who had a noncontrast CT scan of the brain and/or kidneys as part of usual clinical care in the past three months were included. All CT imaging were performed on a GE Optima 660 scanner. The CT protocol included helical scanning with 0.625 mm slice thickness. The areal limit of detection was 0.1 mm². Images were analyzed on a Philips workstation irrespective of whether calcium deposits were visible. The Agatston score algorithm (HeartBeat-CS, v4.1.7.22037) was modified to identify calcium-based stones using an attenuation threshold of 90 HU within the regions of interest (basal ganglia and renal medulla).

Results: NA: not performed

Conclusions: Application of an appropriately modified Agatston score may offer a practical means to accurately diagnose and follow changes in end-organ calcifications in patients with hypoparathyroidism at the point of care.

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