Calcinosis cutis universalis in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus.
Deposition of calcium salts in the skin and subcutaneous tissue occurs in a variety of rheumatic diseases, being most commonly associated with scleroderma, CREST (calcinosis, Raynaud's phenomenon, esophageal dysfunction, sclerodactyly, and telangiectasia), dermatomyositis, and overlap syndromes but is a rare complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Calcinosis is classified into four subsets: dystrophic, metastatic, idiopathic, or calciphylaxis/iatrogenic. The pathophysiology of calcinosis cutis remains unclear. Our patient developed extensive areas of calcifications in the trunk and extremities (calcinosis universalis) 8 years after SLE diagnosis, which would correspond to a form of dystrophic calcification. No response was observed after treatment with oral diltiazem for 3 months. We review the literature on the pathogenesis and prevalence of calcinosis universalis in SLE.
Tristano
Antonio G
AG
Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Dr. Domingo Luciani, Caracas, Venezuela. mjtristano@cantv.net
Villarroel
José L
JL
Rodríguez
María A
MA
Millan
Alberto
A
D000328:Adult; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002130:Calcium Phosphates / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007871:Leg Ulcer / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008859:Microscopy, Polarization; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology
D002130:Calcium Phosphates; C020243:calcium phosphate