Sclerochoroidal calcification: idiopathic or associated with systemic disease?
BACKGROUND
Idiopathic sclerochoroidal calcification is a rare disorder that may be confused with a malignant tumor. In most patients, its etiology is unknown. Some patients have associated systemic disorders or syndromes.


METHODS
We report the case history of a patient with hypercalcemia and extensive sclerochoroidal calcifications; furthermore, we evaluate a series of seven patients with sclerochoroidal calcification, investigating calcium-phosphorus metabolism and screening for primary renal tubular hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis syndromes.


RESULTS
One patient was diagnosed with bilateral sclerochoroidal calcification; she had primary hyperparathyroidism due to a parathyroid adenoma. None of the other seven patients met the criteria of primary renal tubular hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis syndromes or had significant problems of calcium-phosphorus metabolism. Nevertheless, two of them had a history of kidney stones, whereas two others had a history of arthritis.


CONCLUSIONS
For all patients with sclerochoroidal calcification, it is important to exclude primary renal tubular hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis syndromes such as Bartter and Gitelman syndromes, because these patients have a higher risk of cardiovascular morbidity especially during anesthesia.
From The Rotterdam Eye Hospital, The Netherlands.
Eric W
EW
Lindstedt
L Ingeborgh
LI
van den Born
Marc
M
Veckeneer
G Seerp
GS
Baarsma