calcinosis

Deposition of Ca⁺² in nodular foci in tissue other than the viscera. Etiology: 1) disorders of Ca⁺² & or phosphorous metabolism 2) inflammatory, degenerative or neoplastic disease, scleroderma (calcinosis cutis) 3) dermatomyositis (calcinosis universalis) 4) milk alkali syndrome (reversible calcinosis) Epidemiology: -> calcinosis universalis (young patients) Pathology: 1) deposition of calcium in the skin & subcutaneous tissues a) calcinosis circumscripta b) calcinosis universalis c) calcinosis cutis 2) calcification of collagen in large joints a) tumoral calcinosis b) genetic disorder in South African Blacks 3) deposition in connective tissue & other sites -> calcinosis universalis (may be fatal) Laboratory: -> serum Ca⁺² & phosphorous general within normal limits (calcinosis universalis)

Specific

diaphragmatic calcification eggshell calcification

References

Stedman's Medical Dictionary 27th ed, Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, 1999