title: Mönckeberg's sclerosis - is the artery the only target of calcification?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Since its first description, Mönckeberg's sclerosis has only been related to arterial media calcification, being listed among the primary diseases of the vessels.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report here a clinically and histologically confirmed case of Mönckeberg's sclerosis in which the patient presented with massive areas of soft tissue calcifications in the pharynx and larynx. Polysomnographic parameters showed severe obstructive apnea refractory to nasal continuous positive airway pressure. Clinical and laboratory findings excluded concomitant endocrine or rheumatological diseases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data provide a new insight about Mönckeberg's sclerosis, i.e., the fact that the etiopathogenic process involved in the phenomenon of calcification may not be restricted only to the arteries, but may occur in the entire organism. Further studies of the etiopathogenesis of this disease are needed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil. ce.couri@uol.com.br
authors.forename: Carlos Eduardo Barra
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Couri
authors.forename: Geruza Alves
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: da Silva
authors.forename: José Antônio Baddini
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Martinez
authors.forename: Francisco de Assis
authors.initials: Fde A
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.forename: Francisco José Albuquerque
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: de Paula
mesh_terms: D001938:Brazil; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D050380:Monckeberg Medial Calcific Sclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D010614:Pharynx / Q000473:pathology; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology