Pathologic Calcification Flashcards
What is pathologic calcification?
This is the abnormal tissue deposit of calcium together with lesser deposits of iron, magnesium and other minerals.
Pathologic calcification is Aka??
Heterotrophic calcification.
What are the two types of pathologic calcification?
Dystrophic
Metastatic
What is dystrophic calc?
Deposition of calcium in dead or degenerative tissue with normal calcium metab and normal serum calcium levels.
Dystrophic calc is a tell tale sign for previous injury.
T/F
True.
What is the mechanism of dystrophic calc?
With haematoxyilin and eosin, calcium appears as?
Basophilic amorphous sometimes clumped materials.
Calcium is confirmed by special stains like?
Von kossa, Alizarlin Red.
The iron deposit is stained blue by?
Pearls prussian blue
The two phases of dystrophic calc include?
Initiation
Propagation
What happens in initiation phase?
Accumulation of calcium phosphate intracellularly in mitochondria and extracellularly in membrane bound vesicles.
Why does calcium accumulate in the vesicles?
Because of their affinity to phospholipids.
Why does phosphate accumulate in the vesicles?
Because of the action of phosphatase.
Propagation depends on what?
Concentration of calcium and phosphate ions
Presence of mineral inhibitors
Degree of collagenisation
Collagen and osteopontin enhances the rate of growth of crystals.
T/F
True.
What are the examples of calcification in dead tissues?
Liquefactious necrosis in chronic abscess.
Infarcts in organs can be calcified.
Hematoma in the vicinity of bone.
Thrombi especially in veins producing phleboliths.
Examples of calcification in degenerative tissue include?
Dense old scar after hyaline degeneration can be calcified.
Atheroma in aorta and coronary vessels can be calcified.
Stroma of tumour can show calcification.
What is metastatic calcification?
Calcification occurring in normal tissues due to hypercalcaemia
Hypercalaemia results from what?
Excessive absorption from gut.
Excessive mobilisation of calcium from bone.
Causes of excessive mobilisation of calcium from bone include?
Hyperthyroidism
Bone destructive tumors like multiple myeloma, leukemia
Prolonged immobilisation of pt leading to atrophy of bone.
Causes of excessive absorption of calcium from the gut include?
Vitamin related disorders like hypervitaminosis D, sarcoidosis
Aluminium intoxication from pts with chronic dialysis.
Milk alkali syndrome where there’s excessive ingestion of calcium and absorbable antacids
Metastatic calcification principally affects which tissues?
Intestinal tissues of gastric mucosa.
Kidneys, lungs, systemic arteries and pulmonary veins.
What are the clinical correlations of metastatic calc?
Nephrocalcinosis in kidney.
Calcinosis cutis in skin Subcutaneous tissues.
Respiratory insufficiency
