title: Calcinosis universalis: a rare diagnosis.
abstract: Calcinosis universalis is characterized by the deposit of calcium salts in skin, subcutaneous tissue, tendons and muscles. Most cases become apparent during the first decade of life. Clinical aspects may vary from arthralgia to movement limitation, with calcification of soft tissues. Differential diagnosis should exclude fibrodysplasia ossificans progressive, progressive osseous heterodysplasia, myositis ossificans and dermatopolymyositis. There is no specific treatment, but the use of calcium chelates (EDTA), biphosphonates (disodium etidronate) and steroids are mentioned. This paper presents a review of the literature and adds a new case of calcinosis universalis and its evolution in 28 months, describing laboratory and radiograph findings and suggesting the differential diagnosis among processes of soft tissue calcification.
authors.affiliation: Orthopaedics and Traumatology Department, Santa Casa São Paulo, Faculty of Medical Sciences, São Paulo, Brazil. dotped@santacasasp.org.br
authors.forename: Cláudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Santili
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Akkari
authors.forename: Gilberto
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Waisberg
authors.forename: Clóris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kessler
authors.forename: Tabata de
authors.initials: Td
authors.lastname: Alcantara
authors.forename: Patrícia L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Delai
mesh_terms: D000747:Anemia, Hypochromic / Q000175:diagnosis; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology; D009069:Movement Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013710:Tendons