Calcinosis cutis is a type of calcinosis

Calcinosis

-Dystrophic calcification:The most common type of calcinosis is dystrophic calcification. This type of calcification can occur as a response to any soft tissue damage, including that involved in implantation of medical devices.-Metastatic calcification:...

 wherein calcium deposits form in the skin. A variety of factors can result in this condition. The most common source is dystrophic calcification

Dystrophic calcification

Dystrophic Calcification is the calcification occurring in degenerated or necrotic tissue, as in hyalinized scars, degenerated foci in leiomyomas, and caseous nodules. This occurs as a reaction to tissue damage, including as a consequence of medical device implantation.Dystrophic calcification can...

, which occurs in soft tissue as a response to injury. In dogs, calcinosis cutis is virtually pathognomonic for Canine Cushing's syndrome

Cushing's syndrome

Cushing's syndrome is a hormone disorder caused by high levels of cortisol in the blood. This can be caused by taking glucocorticoid drugs, or by tumors that produce cortisol or adrenocorticotropic hormone or CRH...

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Types

Calcinosis cutis may be divided into the following types:

• Dystrophic calcinosis cutis
  Dystrophic calcinosis cutis
  Dystrophic calcinosis cutis is a cutaneous condition characterized by calcification of the skin resulting from the deposition of calcium and phosphorus, and occurs in a preexisting skin lesion of inflammatory process....
  
  
• Metastatic calcinosis cutis
  Metastatic calcinosis cutis
  Metastatic calcinosis cutis is a cutaneous condition characterized by calcification of the skin resulting from the deposition of calcium and phosphorus, and associated with an internal malignancy....
  
  
• Iatrogenic calcinosis cutis
  Iatrogenic calcinosis cutis
  Iatrogenic calcinosis cutis is a cutaneous condition characterized by calcification of the skin resulting from the deposition of calcium and phosphorus inadvertently introduced by a medical procedure....
  
  
• Traumatic calcinosis cutis
  Traumatic calcinosis cutis
  Traumatic calcinosis cutis is a cutaneous condition characterized by calcification of the skin resulting from the deposition of calcium and phosphorus often resulting from occupational exposure, as in cases reported in oil-field workers and coal miners....
  
  
• Idiopathic scrotal calcinosis
  Idiopathic scrotal calcinosis
  Idiopathic scrotal calcinosis is a cutaneous condition characterized by calcification of the skin resulting from the deposition of calcium and phosphorus occurring on the scrotum....
  
  
• Subepidermal calcified nodule
  Subepidermal calcified nodule
  Subepidermal calcified nodule is a cutaneous condition characterized by calcification of the skin resulting from the deposition of calcium and phosphorus, occurring most frequently as one or a few skin lesions on the scalp or face of children....
  
  
• Tumoral calcinosis
  Tumoral calcinosis
  Tumoral calcinosis is a skin condition characterized by calcification of a pre-existing skin tumor ; it presents as large subcutaneous masses. The original tumor may or may not disappear leaving behind a calcified nodule that may eventually ossify ....
  
  
• Osteoma cutis
  Osteoma cutis
  Osteoma cutis is a cutaneous condition characterized by the presence of bone within the skin in the absence of a preexisting or associated lesion....
  
  

Causes

Calcinosis may be the results of a variety of causes such as:

• Trauma to the region
• Inflammation (bug bites, acne)
• Varicose veins
  Varicose veins
  Varicose veins are veins that have become enlarged and tortuous. The term commonly refers to the veins on the leg, although varicose veins can occur elsewhere. Veins have leaflet valves to prevent blood from flowing backwards . Leg muscles pump the veins to return blood to the heart, against the...
  
  
• Infections
• Tumors (malignant or benign)
• Diseases of connective tissue
• Hypercalcemia
• Hyperphosphatemia
  Hyperphosphatemia
  Hyperphosphatemia is an electrolyte disturbance in which there is an abnormally elevated level of phosphate in the blood. Often, calcium levels are lowered due to precipitation of phosphate with the calcium in tissues.-Signs and symptoms:...
  
  

External links

• http://tray.dermatology.uiowa.edu/CalCut01.htm