Pathologic Calcification
- Abnormal tissue deposition of calcium salts, together with smaller amounts of iron, magnesium and other salts.
Robbins & Cotran Pathologic Basis of Diseases,
South Asia edition, 9e, pg no. 65
- Encountered in areas of necrosis (coagulative/caseous/ liquefactive) and in foci of enzymatic necrosis of fat.
- Calcification in atheromas of advanced atherosclerosis. Also in aging or damaged heart valves.
- Appear macroscopically as fine, white granules or clumps, felt as gritty deposits.
- Often caused by organ dysfunction.
- Serum calcium is normal in dystrophic calcification.
- Occurs in normal tissues whenever there is hypercalcemia.
- Principal causes of hypercalcemia are:
- Increased secretion of PTH with subsequent bone resorption (hyperparathyroidism)
- Resorption of bone tissue, secondary to primary tumor of bone marrow or diffuse skeletal metastasis, accelerated bone turnover or immobilization.
- Vit. D related disorders
- Renal failure
- Less common causes: Aluminium intoxication, milk-alkaili syndrome
- Principally affects interstitial tissue of gastric mucosa, kidneys, lungs, systemic arteries and pulmonary veins - these tissues excrete acid, thus have an internal alkaline compartment.
- Appear as noncrystalline amorphous deposits or as hydroxyapatite crystals.