Intrapelvic calcifications are fairly common findings on AP lumbar views. This diagram lists some of the more frequent causes of calcification.
Phleboliths are very common and are a calcified thrombus within a vein. Most adults will have a few in the pelvic basin.
Arterial calcification in the large arteries such as the aorta and common iliac vessels represents the most common form of arterial calcification atherosclerosis.
Subcutaneous and intramuscular injections can cause fat necrosis which will also calcify, often seen in the gluteal region.
Peripheral mesenteric lymph nodes commonly will calcify after being involved in a previous infection.
Calcification can also be found in the prostate caused by renal calculi.
The vas deferens may calcify, but is usually found only in men with long standing diabetes.
Calcification is often found in uterine fibroids.
Calcification is frequently present in benign and malignant ovarian tumors.
Most calcifications found in the pelvis are relatively benign, however, if there is a concern that the calcification may involve a neoplastic process, a second opinion should be obtained. Many patients do not have significant clinical symptoms early on, therefore, the AP lumbar view may be the initial study that reveals the truly significant pathological process.
Because they have yet to pass national legislation protecting the chiropractic profession, Japanese DCs are in a similar situation that U.S. DCs faced. We were fortunate enough to be able to pass chiropractic licensure state by state. The DCs in Japan must accomplish this nationally, which has proved to be an extremely difficult task. And in spite of their efforts, Japanese DCs are currently faced with two chiropractic professions.
This article focuses on nine severe injuries that are generally not diagnosable until the third to fourth week following the date of injury, including how to diagnose these severe injuries. The discovery of any of these injuries early can make a significant difference in the case outcome.
There has long been an attempt by those who are not legitimate doctors of chiropractic to usurp the title of chiropractor from those who have earned their degree from an accredited chiropractic program. This generally happens in countries where the local doctors of chiropractic have yet to pass legislation requiring a degree from an accredited institution. The result is essentially two chiropractic professions. Nowhere is this danger more pronounced than in Japan.
