American Board of Pathology (ABPath) Practice Test

The condition that does not typically demonstrate calcium deposits in the spleen is associated with acute abscesses. When examining conditions that lead to calcification in the spleen, chronic infections and granulomatous diseases, such as tuberculosis and AIDS, are often highlighted because they can cause necrosis and subsequent healing processes that lead to calcification. In tuberculosis, for instance, the splenic granulomas can undergo caseous necrosis, and as the healing process occurs, calcium can be deposited in the scar tissue. Similarly, in AIDS, various opportunistic infections and the chronic inflammatory process can lead to calcium deposition. Pneumocystis Carinii pneumonia, now known as Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia, especially in the context of individuals with impaired immune systems, can also be associated with splenic calcifications due to associated infections and the body's immune response. Conversely, acute abscesses represent a more immediate and localized infection process leading to the accumulation of pus and necrosis. These abscesses are characterized by inflammation and necrotic tissue without the chronic changes that typically lead to calcification. Therefore, while acute processes might lead to inflammation and possibly other sequelae, they do not usually result in calcium deposits in the sple