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Image Description

Tumoral calcinosis is a heterogenous group of disorders characterized by formation of painless, tumor-like calcium deposits in periarticular soft tissues in hip, shoulder, and elbow regions, usually along extensor surfaces. Less commonly involved sites include hands, feet, knee, scalp, neck, and paraspinal region. It usually affects otherwise healthy children, adolescents, and young adults and may run in the family. Some forms affect predominantly older individuals. The lesions are often multiple. There are no abnormalities in calcium metabolism.

Tumoral calcinosis appears as an unencapsulated, firm subcutaneous mass that may extend into the adjacent muscles. The cut surface shows nodules separated by fibrous septa and filled with yellow-white chalky material with gritty consistency or milky yellow-white liquid. The chalky material may wash off leaving behind cystic spaces. Image courtesy of Dr. Jean-Christophe Fournet, Paris, France; humpath.com; Used with permission

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