Calcified granuloma is a medical condition where calcium is deposited in a localized nodular inflammation occurring in tissues. Read on to know more about this condition from the following health article.
Granulomas are small areas of inflammation in tissues. This inflammation may arise due to an injury or an infection. In most cases, granulomas occur in the lungs. However, it is possible to observe granulomas in other body parts. These granulomas are often found accidentally when a person is undergoing a health checkup for other reasons. Many times, people are often diagnosed with calcified granuloma. This makes one wonder, what is this condition? Does it indicate a severe infection or cancer?
Overview
It is a granuloma that contains calcium deposits. The inflammation is so densely packed that it appears as a tumor. It takes a long time for the calcium to be deposited in the granuloma. Thus, when it is diagnosed, it means that the granuloma was present for a long time. Granuloma is not a serious condition in itself. However, what causes it helps weigh the gravity of the situation. It may be a sign of an underlying condition and requires further investigation.
Causes
It is caused usually due to an infection. One of the most serious infections that lead to the condition is histoplamosis. This is a fungal infection that is caused by Histoplasma capsulatum. It is also known as ‘Ohio Valley disease’ in the United States as it is very common in some parts of Ohio as well as southern regions of the Mississippi river. When one is infected with histoplasmosis, they show respiratory symptoms that appear like flu. These symptoms appear after about 2 weeks of initial fungal infection. This condition turns serious when it spreads to other organs from the lungs. It can lead to severe complications and in some cases, even leads to death. Some patients do not develop any symptoms or show minor signs of infection. These patients are treated with antifungal medications.
Tuberculosis is another condition that leads to this condition. Apart from that, other diseases such as berylliosis, Churg-Strauss syndrome, coccidioidomycosis, leprosy, Crohn’s disease, Wegener’s granulomatosis, etc. may lead to granuloma. Some of these are chronic illnesses and their manifestations may lead to deposits of calcium in the granuloma over time.
Symptoms may not be experienced and are generally accidentally discovered. If one does experience the symptoms, it will depend on their location. A CT scan helps to determine if the granuloma is calcified. Tissue scarring indicates calcification of the granuloma. However, in most cases, granulomas do not require any form of treatment.
