Imaging Appearances in a Case of Tumoral Calcinosis

• Main Authors: Sushil G. Kachewar, Devidas S. Kulkarni
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: JCDR Research and Publications Pvt. Ltd. 2016-04-01
• Series: International Journal of Anatomy Radiology and Surgery
• Subjects: calcification; magnetic resonance imaging; para articular mass; painless lesion; radiograph
• Online Access: http://www.ijars.net/articles/PDF/2130/11-4487_F(P)_PF1(Vsu_Om)_PFA(Om)_PF2(PVSU).pdf

Tumoral calcinosis is an uncommon entity characterised by calcified para-articular masses as demonstrated most often on radiographs. It can occur at any age and is inherited as an autosomal dominant mode that has a variable clinical expression. Its biochemical hallmarks are hyperphosphataemia with normocalcaemia and normal renal function. It is only rarely that one comes across a disease which is so obvious in its clinical manifestations that it should easily be recognized and yet which is frequently misdiagnosed and dismissed as something else for example “foreign body reactions”, “old trauma”, “sebaceous cysts with secondary calcification”, “periarticular giant cell tumours” and “unknown embryonic tumours” to quote a few examples. As it has a potential to produce tumours weighing as much as 4,000 g, which are often multiple and cause pressure symptoms, which may necrose, recur after removal, cause considerable pain and morbidity and, may even endanger the of the patient, it is entitled to a little more “respect”. Unfamiliarity with tumoral calcinosis as well as the disease processes that mimic this condition; impedes the correct diagnosis thereby delaying the treatment, and an undue alarm could be raised, possibly leading to unwarranted surgical procedures. Hence, we all need to be familiar with this entity.