Calcinosis

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Calcinosis
File:KimIlSungCalciumDeposit1970.png Calcinosis
Synonyms
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Calcium deposits in soft tissue
Complications	Pain, ulceration, infection
Onset	Varies
Duration	Chronic
Types	N/A
Causes	Hypercalcemia, tissue damage, connective tissue disease
Risks	Scleroderma, dermatomyositis, lupus
Diagnosis	X-ray, CT scan, MRI, biopsy
Differential diagnosis	Gout, pseudogout, tumoral calcinosis
Prevention	Managing underlying conditions
Treatment	Surgery, medications (e.g., bisphosphonates, warfarin)
Medication	Diltiazem, sodium thiosulfate
Prognosis	Variable, depends on underlying cause
Frequency	Rare
Deaths	N/A

Calcinosis is the formation of calcium deposits in any soft tissue. It is a rare condition that has many different causes. These range from infection and injury to systemic diseases like kidney failure.

Calcinosis cutis

Calcinosis cutis

Types

While calcinosis can be classified based on which tissue it originates in and also based on etiology. When it comes to the skin, also called calcinosis cutis, there are four types of calcinosis cutis: idiopathic, dystrophic, metastatic, and iatrogenic

Dystrophic calcification

The most common type of calcinosis is dystrophic calcification. This type of calcification can occur as a response to any soft tissue damage, including that involved in implantation of medical devices.

Calcinosis cutis

Calcinosis cutis

Metastatic calcification

Metastatic calcification involves a systemic calcium excess imbalance, which can be caused by hypercalcemia, kidney failure, milk-alkali syndrome, lack or excess of other minerals, or other causes.

Tumoral calcinosis

The cause of the rare condition of tumoral calcinosis is not entirely understood. It is generally characterized by large, globular calcifications near joints.

See also

• Calcinosis cutis
• Dermatomyositis
• Fahr's syndrome
• Hypercalcemia
• Hyperphosphatemia
• Primrose syndrome
• Scleroderma

External links

• Univ. Washington School of Medicine article on Soft Tissue Calcifications

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