Tumoral Calcinosis: Case Report and Review

Introduction

Tumoral calcinosis (TC) is a periarticular calcific lesion of which the exact etiology and incidence is unknown.¹ It involves deposition of calcium within the surrounding soft tissue, commonly of the large joints such as the hip and shoulder but has been reported in joints such as the elbow, wrist, knee joint, scalp, larynx, spine, and sacrum.²³⁴⁵⁶ It commonly presents in pediatric or adolescent age groups as a painless, firm, and swelling around the affected joint that may lead to limitations in the joint function.⁷⁸⁹ Our report presents an example of such a case and discusses the pathogenesis and treatment of bilateral elbow TC in a pediatric patient.

Historical Review

Dr. M.H. Duret was the first person to report a case of tumoral calcinosis in 1899 who named it as “endothelium calcifie.”¹⁰ The term “TC” was first coined by Inclan et al in 1943 for a disease characterized by a large juxta-articular, lobular calcified mass without visceral or skin calcifications in patients with normal serum calcium and phosphorus levels.¹¹ The characteristic pathological features of these lesions were the presence of multiple cysts filled with calcified deposits lined by histiocytes, giant cells, and xanthomatous histiocytes.¹²

Etiology, Pathogenesis, and Classification

The etiology of TC still remains uncertain.⁴

Three most prominent theories of the pathogenesis of the TC lesions are as follows:

• Repetitive trauma leads to reparative dysfunction.

• Periarticular forces dissecting histiocytic aggregates that initiate osteoclastic activity.

• Hemorrhage from microtrWauma causes an exaggerated reparative response.¹³

Differential Diagnosis for tumoral calcinosis

Table 1 shows that there are many causes of metabolic and dystrophic calcification.²¹

Treatment Options

The treatment of any periarticular calcinosis depends largely on its underlying cause. Surgical excision of lesion is well documented but not without the possibility of recurrence. This may be due to inadequate removal of the tumor tissue.

With regard to TC surgical excision is combined with phosphate deprivation (using aluminum hydroxide) in conjunction with acetazolamide to synergistically with phosphate restricted diet (dairy products, nuts, beans, grain products, etc.) lower the phosphate levels in the body and has proven to be an effective therapy.²² Low-dose oral anticoagulant therapy has also been utilized to prevent and reverse many subcutaneous lesions. However recently, modified fine-needle aspiration performed with ultrasonographic guidance using a double small-gauge needle technique relieved pain and disability.²³

In accordance with previous literature, the treatment protocol for TC should be based entirely on the symptomatology of the patient. If there is severe joint disability or associated complications such as nerve compression, infection, or deformity, the patient may undergo a surgical excision followed by medical treatment with condition phosphate deprivation agents mentioned earlier.²⁴ On the other hand, patients with underlying secondary or tertiary hyperparathyroidism must undergo subtotal or total parathyroidectomy if the medical treatment fails.²⁵

Case Report

A 12-year-old right hand dominant boy presented to our outpatient department with history of multiple and progressive masses in the left elbow over a period of 6 months. The lesion was painful and associated with a yellow discharge for a period of 10 days. He did report two episodes of low-grade fever. General examination revealed a well-nourished and healthy child with restricted movement in the left elbow on examining the left elbow a tender, solitary 4 × 3 cm elliptical lesion was noted over the posterolateral aspect. The skin over the elbow appeared shiny with a local rise of temperature. The swellings were firm, nonfluctuant, nodular in consistency with a multiple overlying punctums of which some had ulcerated with a purulent discharge. The patient had no regional lymphadenopathy and completely restricted range of movement. The right elbow also demonstrated a region of thickened skin of 2 × 3 cm with ill-defined margins. However, no local skin changes and no restriction of movement (Fig. 1).

Close

Fig. 1 Left elbow of the patient.

Export to PPT

Preoperative photos showing calcified mass with collection mainly at posterolateral aspect of elbow.

Preoperative anteroposterior (AP) and lateral radiographs of the left elbow showing multiple oval-shaped calcified masses mainly at the posterolateral region of elbow (Fig. 2).

Close

Fig. 2 Preoperative radiograph of left elbow showing calcified mass over posterolateral region.

Export to PPT

Preoperative radiograph of right elbow AP and lateral view showing calcified mass over elbow but less benign compare with left elbow (Fig. 3).

Close

Fig. 3 Preoperative radiograph of the right elbow showing small oval shape calcified mass over posteromedial region.

Export to PPT

His blood investigations were all within normal limits including serum uric acid level (5.4 mg/dL) except for a slightly elevated serum phosphate. Ultrasonographic imaging of thyroid and parathyroid glands were unremarkable.

Management

While examination, we had noted firm mass with thickened skin of right elbow but asymptomatic. Hence, we operated only on left elbow with debridement of narcotic and unhealthy tissue and excision of mass which was sent to biopsy to conform our diagnosis. Wound was closed by primary suturing and immobilised limb till suture removal followed by rehabilitation with active and passive mobilization of elbow.

Surgical excision in the left elbow was performed using a posterior approach. The excised material consisted multiple lobulated yellow colored masses within a well-defined capsule. Cut surfaces of the lobules were yellowish white with chalky granular deposits (Fig. 4).

Close

Fig. 4 Surgical excision of mass showing lobulated mass within well defined capsule.

Export to PPT

Image showing: (A) yellow chocky type material from subcutaneous layer, (B) mass extending up to triceps muscle, (C) mass not communicating to deep layers, and (D) image showing specimen of varies size.

Postoperative X-ray after excision of mass confirmed the complete removal of the calcified tissue (Fig. 5).

Close

Fig. 5 Postoperative radiograph of the left elbow shows complete removal of elbow.

Export to PPT

Microscopy revealed course calcific deposits with plasma cells and lymphocytes surrounded by fibrosis. These features were suggestive of TC. There were no features of malignant neoplastic cells within specimen (Fig. 6).

Close

Fig. 6 Histopathology specimen of calcified tissue which shows that calcific deposition shows plasma cells with lymphocyte deposition surrounded by fibrosis.

Export to PPT

Postoperation and Rehabilitation

Elbow mobilization was started after wound healing. Fig. 7 shows range of motion after 2 weeks of surgery.

Close

Fig. 7 Immediate postoperative image showing elbow range of motion that started after wound healing.

Export to PPT

Follow-up and Outcomes

Clinical photograph demonstrating range of motion and postoperative radiographs of bilateral elbow joints 9 months after surgery showing no recurrence of mass or calcium deposition. The patient regained full range of movements in bilateral elbows (Fig. 8).

Close

Fig. 8 Follow-up image of full range of motion of elbow joint. No complaints of pain or swelling over joints was made.

Export to PPT

Discussion

TC is a rare and benign uncommon pathological condition in which calcified deposits of hydroxyapatite or amorphous calcium phosphate crystals are deposited in the periarticular connective tissue.²⁶ However, they are not true neoplasms as they do not possess of mitotic cells.⁴ Despite many theories, the exact pathogenesis remains unknown as seen in our case which had no history of trauma to the elbow (Fig. 9).

Close

Fig. 9 Postoperative radiograph of bilateral elbows that showed no evidence recurrence of mass.

Export to PPT

TC usually presents as a painless, firm swelling with, multiple masses but can become painful as a result of ulceration.¹¹ In such situations, patients may present with signs of infection and discharge over the swelling site. Diagnosis can be tedious in view of various other similar presenting lesions that are difficult because there are many conditions with similar appearing lesions. Laboratory investigations in a case of TC are often nonconclusive, and only in cases of hyperphosphatemic TC, we ruled out gout since his uric acid was within normal limit.²⁷ Plain radiographs are often useful in diagnosis where multiple areas of well-circumscribed and nodular masses with fibrous septae are noted appearing as a “cobblestone” or “chicken-wire” appearance. A horizontal beam may show the “sedimentation sign” due to the mineral portion pooling dependently.²⁸

The treatment of TC is governed by the site, size, type of the lesion, and relations of the lesion, as well as the symptoms of the patient. A medical line of management may be utilized when treating the primary variety and should be considered prior to surgical intervention. Medical management involves phosphate depletion with dietary restriction of phosphorus and phosphate binding chelating agents such as oral aluminum.²⁹³⁰³¹ However, if the swelling is large in size causing significant disability to the involved joint and there are cutaneous complications such as ulceration surgery may be considered as it offers pain relief as restores normal joint function.³² In the case of our patient, the swelling was large in size, causing significant loss in joint function along with skin ulceration and with signs of infection as the patient had febrile episodes. Therefore, we decided to take a surgical approach by excising the entire lesion from the left elbow followed by confirmation with biopsy. In the case of the right elbow, the patient did not report any loss in joint function or skin complications; therefore, we decided to treat him conservatively with phosphate diet restriction and assess the elbow on consecutive follow-ups.

Tumoral calcinosis though a rare condition should be considered a possible diagnosis in this age group and radiographic picture. As it is not a typical neoplasm or a bony tumor the decision to intervene is entirely based upon the patient’s disability and complications as a result of the pathology. Post operatively our patient achieved excellent results with complete healing of the skin over the elbow joint and restoration of complete joint function. On subsequent follow ups we have been monitoring his right elbow and he continued to remain without significant loss of joint function and free of any associated complications.