Disseminated Pulmonary Ossification

Disseminated pulmonary ossification (DPO) refers to the formation of mature bone in the lung parenchyma. It is usually seen in men between 40 and 60 years of age, predominantly in the lower lobes.

DPO is usually seen in association with chronic heart or lung diseases and has been classified into nodular and branching types. Differential considerations include:

• mitral stenosis and other diseases that cause pulmonary venous hypertension: Most common association. Seen in 15-50% of these patients. The appearance is nodular.
• interstitial pulmonary fibrosis: May be seen in up to 9% of these patients.
• chemotherapy: e.g., busulfan
• hemodialysis
• acromegaly
• metastatic cancer

References

• Luschka H. Verastigte Knockenbildung im Parenchym der Lunge. VirchowsArch [PatholAnat] 1856;10:500-505.
• Gevenois PA, Abehsera M, Knoop C, Jacobovitz D, Estenne M. Disseminated pulmonary ossification in end-stage pulmonary fibrosis: CT demonstration. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1994 Jun;162(6):1303-4.