Latent dystrophic subcutaneous calcification in patients with chronic venous insufficiency.
Dystrophic calcification in the skin occurs in association with a variety of disorders. To determine the association between subcutaneous calcification and chronic venous insufficiency, X-ray examinations were performed in 20 patients with chronic venous insufficiency and in 20 control subjects to detect latent calcification in their lower legs. Of the 20 patients, 13 (65%) had subcutaneous calcification, and the prevalence appeared to increase with disease duration, while only 4 control subjects (20%) had minimal calcification. Two types of calcification were identified based on their radiographic features: punctate and trabecular/reticular types. Patients with trabecular/reticular calcification had longer disease duration and more severe clinical scores than patients with punctate calcification. None of the control subjects had trabecular/reticular types of calcification. The identification of the presence and progression of latent calcification in the lower legs is useful, and may be necessary for the long-term management of chronic venous insufficiency, since calcification of skin tissues impedes wound healing and can be a risk factor for refractory ulcers.
Tokoro
Shown
S
Department of Dermatology, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan.
Satoh
Takahiro
T
Okubo
Yoshiko
Y
Igawa
Ken
K
Yokozeki
Hiroo
H
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001706:Biopsy; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D040521:Subcutaneous Tissue / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D013997:Time Factors; D014689:Venous Insufficiency / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology