metastatic calcification

Etiology: - hypercalcemia - hypercalcemia of malignancy - hyperparathyroidism - hypervitaminosis D - milk alkali syndrome - dailysis Pathology: - deposition of calcium salts in otherwise normal tissue as a result of hypercalcemia - systemic, rather than localized, calcification - principally affects interstitial tissues a) vasculature b) kidneys c) lungs d) gastric mucosa - may also deposit in a) muscle b) subcutaneous tissue c) heart d) thyroid e) liver f) spleen g) pancreas - rapid increases in pH levels contribute to the formation of salts Clinical manifestations: - generally asymptomatic from the calcification itself - restrictive lung disease may develop from widespread calcification of the lung Radiology: - calcification seen in radiographs, computed tomography Management: - prognosis - may remain stable for years or be rapidly progressive

Specific

calciphylaxis; uremic calcific arteriopathy/arteriolopathy

General

calcification

References

Wikipedia: Metastatic calcification http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metastatic_calcification
Learning Radiology: Metastatic Calcification http://www.learningradiology.com/archives2007/COW%20246-Metastatic%20calcification/metcalcificacorrect.html

Contents

Search