Fine needle aspiration biopsy of calcinosis cutis. A case report.
BACKGROUND
Metastatic calcifications are currently an uncommon complication in patients with end-stage renal disease due to improvements in management of these patients. When present, however, calcifications may mimic neoplastic growth and can undergo fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB).


METHODS
A case of calcinosis cutis was diagnosed by FNAB in a 50-year-old male with a history of end-stage renal disease who presented with a subcutaneous nodule in the right side of his neck.


CONCLUSIONS
The presence of histiocytes, foreign body-type giant cells and refractile material (calcium crystals) in FNAB material is diagnostic of calcinosis cutis in the proper clinical setting.
Solans
E P
EP
Department of Pathology, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois 60153, USA.
Bakhos
R
R
Castelli
M J
MJ
Gattuso
P
P
D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008487:Medical History Taking; D008875:Middle Aged; D016105:Parathyroidectomy