title: Electron microscopy and microanalysis of a subcutaneous heterotopic calcification.
abstract: This paper reports the study of a subcutaneous heterotopic calcification from a patient with Thibierge-Weissenbach's syndrome, a type of creeping scleroderma included in the CRST syndrome. These local deposits, whose origin is still unknown, are commonly considered to be a classic apatite phase. Using SEM, high resolution TEM, electron diffraction, infrared spectrometry, and SEM and TEM microanalysis, it is demonstrated that this material is highly heterogeneous and appears in a nonstoichiometric, carbonated, calcium ion-deficient apatitic solid phase. Our study shows the coexistence of dense globules presenting an ill-organized, more or less amorphous phase (ACP) or microcrystalline (OCP, beta tricalcium phosphate), with scattered apatite crystals, and of interglobular apatite crystals with a good cristallinity.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001031:Apatites / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D004577:Electron Probe Microanalysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D012867:Skin / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D013055:Spectrophotometry, Infrared
chemical_list: D001031:Apatites