It is the abnormal deposition of calcium salts in tissues. It can be dystrophic or metastatic.
It is the deposition of calcium in dead or non-viable tissues in the presence of a normal serum calcium level.
Sites include:
Periventricular calcification is seen in congenital CMV infection.
Grossly, it is felt as gritty, white, granular deposits. On microscopy, it appears as basophilic deposits on H and E stain. In some conditions, it forms lamellated structures called “psammoma bodies”.
Calcium phosphate is the compound that gets deposited. Calcification is initiated either by mitochondria of dead or dying cells or by membrane phospholipids. Phosphatases cleave membrane phospholipids to release phosphate, which then binds with calcium. This forms locally propagating calcium phosphate crystals that further damage the cell membrane.
It is the deposition of calcium in normal tissues in the presence of a deranged calcium metabolism and hypercalcemia and/or hyperphosphatemia.
Any condition causing hypercalcemia or hyperphosphatemia, such as hyperparathyroidism, renal failure, vitamin D toxicity, sarcoidosis etc., can lead to metastatic calcium deposits in the gastric mucosa, kidneys, lungs, arteries etc.
Microscopic and gross appearance resembles dystrophic calcification. Basal ganglia calcification is seen in hypoparathyroidism.
Sign up for free to take 4 quiz questions on this topic