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Tumoral calcinosis: radiologic-pathologic correlation

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Abstract

Objective

Tumoral calcinosis is a frequently misdiagnosed disorder. This study details the radiologic and pathologic characteristics of tumoral calcinosis that distinguish it from most other entities.

Design

Radiologic and pathologic findings, and medical records of 12 patients with tumoral calcinosis were reviewed and compared with equivalent information about 5 patients with other calcified lesions.

Patients

The 12 patients ranged in age from 15 months to 62 years. Six had idiopathic tumoral calcinosis and 6 had secondary tumoral calcinosis.

Results and conclusions

A consistent radiologic finding for tumoral calcinosis was a dense calcified mass that was homogeneous except for a “chicken wire” pattern of lucencies, which correlated histologically with thin fibrous septae. Other characteristics of tumoral calcinosis included fluid-calcium levels, demonstrated in four patients, and smooth osseous erosions adjacent to the mass, demonstrated in three patients. Five cases of tumoral calcinosis were originally confused with other calcified lesions; however, the radiologic findings were characteristic of tumoral calcinosis in retrospect.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA

    L. S. Steinbach M.D. & J. O. Johnston M.D.

  2. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA

    J. O. Johnston M.D.

  3. Department of Medicine, The Permanente Medical Group, Antioch, California, USA

    E. F. Tepper M.D.

  4. Department of Pathology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA

    G. D. Honda M.D.

  5. Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA

    W. Martel M.D.

Authors
  1. L. S. Steinbach M.D.
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  2. J. O. Johnston M.D.
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  3. E. F. Tepper M.D.
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  4. G. D. Honda M.D.
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  5. W. Martel M.D.
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Steinbach, L.S., Johnston, J.O., Tepper, E.F. et al. Tumoral calcinosis: radiologic-pathologic correlation. Skeletal Radiol. 24, 573–578 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00204854

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