Detection of metastatic calcification in lungs and stomach with radionuclide in multiple myeloma.

Metastatic calcification is commonly associated with multiple myeloma, presumably because this disorder has a propensity for causing hypercalcaemia and renal failure. Pathologically, the most common sites of calcium deposition are the lung, kidney, gastric mucosa, heart, and blood vessels.' Metastatic pulmonary calcification is rarely detected radiographically, and when it is other pulmonary abnormalities (most often caused by infections) must be ruled out.2 3 Some authors' 4 have emphasised the clinical value of routine bone scans to detect interstitial pulmonary calcification, and to study the effects of treatment. This report describes a patient with multiple myeloma in whom the bone scan showed metastatic calcification in the lungs and stomach.