title: Tumoral calcinosis of the hand: three unusual cases with painful swelling of small joints.
abstract: Tumoral calcinosis is a rare ectopic calcification syndrome characterized by irregular soft tissue masses originally described as being found mainly in large joints. We report 3 cases of tumoral calcinosis that occurred in unusual locations, the metacarpophalageal and proximal interphalangeal joints of the hand. The patients were women who ranged in age from 26 to 44; all presented with complaints of painful swelling of the joints. Laboratory tests demonstrated normal serum phosphate and calcium levels. Radiologic examination disclosed para-articular calcified masses. On surgical excision, the deep-seated calcified masses were attached to collateral ligaments of the joints. Milky and chalklike fluid was released during surgery. The masses measured 1.5, 0.9, and 0.8 cm in length and had irregular surfaces. Microscopically, the masses had fibrous capsule and the inner small cystic spaces that contained granular, calcified material. These cysts contained proliferating capillaries, mononuclear lymph plasma cells, and giant cells. No recurrences were found in any of the patients during the follow-up periods.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Inje University, Ilsan Paik Hospital, Koyang City, Republic of Korea. hs-kim@ilsanpaik.ac.kr
authors.forename: Han-Seong
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jin Su
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Suh
authors.forename: Yong Hoon
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Sung-Hye
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005384:Finger Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D011859:Radiography; D016896:Treatment Outcome