J Korean Soc Spine Surg.  2007 Sep;14(3):207-211. 10.4184/jkss.2007.14.3.207.

Tumoral Calcinosis at Lumbar Region: A Case Report

• Cho JL
• Kang CN
• Park YS
• Choe JW

• KMID: 1941655
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4184/jkss.2007.14.3.207

Abstract

Tumoral calcinosis is a rare disease involving the ectopic calcifications in the major juxtaarticular sites that was first described by Inclan Alberto in 1943. The etiology of tumoral calcinosis is still obscure. A disturbance of the phosphate metabolism in the kidney has been considered a major cause. However, some patients have no laboratory abnormalities. Tumoral calcinosis in the spine has not been reported in Korea. Recently, we encountered a case of tumoral calcinosis in the lumbar region. The clinical and pathological findings are discussed with a review of the relevant literature.

Keyword

Lumbar region; Tumoral calcinosis

MeSH Terms

Calcinosis*
Humans
Kidney
Korea
Lumbosacral Region*
Metabolism
Rare Diseases
Spine

Figure

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  Fig. 1. It is a clinical photograph at presentation.

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  Fig. 2. Lateral X-ray of lumbar spine shows scanty calcification (arrow) at L3~4 interspinous ligament area.

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  Fig. 3. Sagittal images of MRI shows a mass at interspinous ligament area. T1-weighted and T2-weighted images show that heterogenous low signal change is surrounded by a rim of increased signal. (A) T1-weighted image, (B) T2-weighted image.

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  Fig. 4. Axial images of MRI shows septum of increased signal at T1-weighted and T2-weighted image. T1 weighted image shows sedimentation sign (arrow). (A) T1-weighted image, (B) T2-weighted image.

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  Fig. 5. It is a photograph of the mass after excision. The excised specimen is measured 1.5×2.0×2.0 cm in size. (A) Axial view of the mass, (B) Sagittal view of the mass

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  Fig. 6. The excised specimen is cutted. It is septated by dense fibrous septum, containing milk-like fluid and chalky materials.

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  Fig. 7. It is a histologic findings (H-E staining). The section shows nodular aggregates of amorphous calcified mate-rial bordered by a proliferation of macrophages and multinucleated osteoclast like giant cells. The nodules are separated by bands of dense fibrous tissue.

Reference

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