title: Calciphylaxis: Comparison of radiologic imaging and histopathology.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The current gold standard for diagnosis of calciphylaxis is a skin biopsy specimen demonstrating calcification of small-caliber arteries or arterioles.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to compare diameters of calcified vessels seen in skin biopsy specimens and radiology images of patients with calciphylaxis.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a retrospective study of patients with known calciphylaxis from 2009 to 2016 at a community hospital who had both skin biopsy specimens and radiology images taken as part of their routine care. Vascular calcification was compared in skin biopsy specimens and radiology images.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seven patients were identified. Small-vessel calcification as fine as 0.1 to 0.3 mm was identified on plain films in 3 patients; 0.1 to 0.2 mm by mammography in 3 patients, and 0.1 to 0.2 mm by computed tomography imaging in 1 patient, nearly as fine a resolution as on histopathology.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This was a single-center study with limited sample size.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Radiologic imaging might enable more rapid diagnosis of calciphylaxis when skin biopsy specimen is pending or not available.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York; Department of Medicine, Norwalk Hospital, Norwalk, Connecticut. Electronic address: clh1@cumc.columbia.edu.
authors.forename: Charles L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Halasz
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Norwalk Hospital, Norwalk, Connecticut.
authors.forename: David P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Munger
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Norwalk Hospital, Norwalk, Connecticut.
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Frimmer
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Norwalk Hospital, Norwalk, Connecticut.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dicorato
authors.affiliation: Department of Department of Hyperbaric Medicine and Wound Healing, Greenwich Hospital, Greenwich, Connecticut.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wainwright
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001160:Arterioles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D002115:Calciphylaxis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008327:Mammography; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
keywords: calcific uremic arteriolopathy; calciphylaxis; mammography; radiologic imaging