Dystrophic calcification (DC) is the
calcification
Calcification is the accumulation of calcium salts in a body tissue. It normally occurs in the formation of bone, but calcium can be deposited abnormally in soft tissue,Miller, J. D. Cardiovascular calcification: Orbicular origins. ''Nature M ...
occurring in degenerated or
necrotic tissue
Necrosis () is a form of cell injury which results in the premature death of cells in living tissue by autolysis. Necrosis is caused by factors external to the cell or tissue, such as infection, or trauma which result in the unregulated dige ...
, as in
hyalinized scars, degenerated foci in
leiomyoma
A leiomyoma, also known as a fibroid, is a benign smooth muscle tumor that very rarely becomes cancer (0.1%). They can occur in any organ, but the most common forms occur in the uterus, small bowel, and the esophagus. Polycythemia may occur due ...
s, and
caseous nodules. This occurs as a reaction to tissue damage,
including as a consequence of medical device implantation. Dystrophic calcification can occur even if the amount of calcium in the blood is not elevated (a systemic mineral imbalance would elevate calcium levels in the blood and all tissues) and cause
metastatic calcification.
Basophilic
Basophilic is a technical term used by pathologists. It describes the appearance of cells, tissues and cellular structures as seen through the microscope after a histological section has been stained with a basic dye. The most common such dye i ...
calcium salt deposits aggregate, first in the
mitochondria, then progressively throughout the cell. These calcifications are an indication of previous microscopic cell injury, occurring in areas of cell necrosis when activated
phosphatase
In biochemistry, a phosphatase is an enzyme that uses water to cleave a phosphoric acid monoester into a phosphate ion and an alcohol. Because a phosphatase enzyme catalyzes the hydrolysis of its substrate, it is a subcategory of hydrolases. Ph ...
s bind calcium ions to phospholipids in the membrane.
Calcification in dead tissue
#Caseous necrosis in T.B. is most common site of dystrophic calcification.
#
Liquefactive necrosis Liquefactive necrosis (or colliquative necrosis) is a type of necrosis which results in a transformation of the tissue into a liquid viscous mass.Robbins and Cotran: Pathologic Basis of Disease, 8th Ed. 2010. Pg. 15 Often it is associated with foc ...
in chronic abscesses may get calcified.
#
Fat necrosis
Fat necrosis is a form of necrosis characterized by the action upon fat by digestive enzymes.
In fat necrosis the enzyme lipase releases fatty acids from triglycerides. The fatty acids then complex with calcium to form soaps. These soaps appea ...
following acute pancreatitis or traumatic fat necrosis in breasts results in deposition of calcium soaps.
#
Infarcts may undergo D.C.
#
Thrombi
A thrombus (plural thrombi), colloquially called a blood clot, is the final product of the blood coagulation step in hemostasis. There are two components to a thrombus: aggregated platelets and red blood cells that form a plug, and a mesh of c ...
, especially in veins, may produce
phleboliths.
#
Haematoma
A hematoma, also spelled haematoma, or blood suffusion is a localized bleeding outside of blood vessels, due to either disease or trauma including injury or surgery and may involve blood continuing to seep from broken capillaries. A hematoma is b ...
s in the vicinity of bones may undergo D.C.
#Dead parasites like
schistosoma eggs may calcify.
#Congenital
toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease caused by ''Toxoplasma gondii'', an apicomplexan. Infections with toxoplasmosis are associated with a variety of neuropsychiatric and behavioral conditions. Occasionally, people may have a few weeks or months ...
, CMV or
rubella
Rubella, also known as German measles or three-day measles, is an infection caused by the rubella virus. This disease is often mild, with half of people not realizing that they are infected. A rash may start around two weeks after exposure and ...
may be seen on X-ray as calcifications in the brain.
Calcification in degenerated tissue
#Dense scars may undergo
hyaline
A hyaline substance is one with a glassy appearance. The word is derived from el, ὑάλινος, translit=hyálinos, lit=transparent, and el, ὕαλος, translit=hýalos, lit=crystal, glass, label=none.
Histopathology
Hyaline cartilage is ...
degeneration and calcification.
#
Atheroma
An atheroma, or atheromatous plaque, is an abnormal and reversible accumulation of material in the inner layer of an arterial wall.
The material consists of mostly macrophage cells, or debris, containing lipids, calcium and a variable amount ...
in
aorta
The aorta ( ) is the main and largest artery in the human body, originating from the left ventricle of the heart and extending down to the abdomen, where it splits into two smaller arteries (the common iliac arteries). The aorta distributes ...
and coronaries frequently undergo calcification.
#
Cyst
A cyst is a closed sac, having a distinct envelope and division compared with the nearby tissue. Hence, it is a cluster of cells that have grouped together to form a sac (like the manner in which water molecules group together to form a bubble ...
s can show calcification.
#
Calcinosis cutis is condition in which there are irregular nodular deposits of calcium salts in skin and subcutaneous tissue.
#Senile degenerative changes may be accompanied by calcification.
#The inherited disorder
pseudoxanthoma elasticum may lead to
angioid streaks
Angioid streaks, also called Knapp streaks or Knapp striae, are small breaks in Bruch's membrane, an elastic tissue containing membrane of the retina that may become calcified and crack. Up to 50% of angioid streak cases are idiopathic. It may o ...
with calcification of
Bruch's membrane
Bruch's membrane is the innermost layer of the choroid of the eye. It is also called the ''vitreous lamina'' or ''Membrane vitriae'', because of its glassy microscopic appearance.
It is 2–4 μm thick.
Layers
Bruch's membrane consists of five l ...
, the elastic tissue below the retinal ring.
See also
*
Calcinosis
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.
Types Dystrophic calcification
The most c ...
*
Monckeberg's arteriosclerosis
References
{{Electrolyte abnormalities
Histopathology