Metastatic calcification

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Metastatic calcification is deposition of calcium salts in otherwise normal tissue, because of elevated serum levels of calcium,^[1] which can occur because of deranged metabolism as well as increased absorption or decreased excretion of calcium and related minerals, as seen in hyperparathyroidism.

In contrast, dystrophic calcification is caused by abnormalities or degeneration of tissues^[2]^[3] resulting in mineral deposition, though blood levels of calcium remain normal. These differences in pathology also mean that metastatic calcification is often found in many tissues throughout a person or animal, whereas dystrophic calcification is localized.

Metastatic calcification can occur widely throughout the body but principally affects the interstitial tissues of the vasculature, kidneys, lungs, and gastric mucosa. For the latter three, acid secretions or rapid changes in pH levels contribute to the formation of salts.^[4]

Causes

Hypercalcemia, elevated blood calcium, has numerous causes, including^[5]

Elevated levels of parathyroid hormone due to hyperparathyroidism, leading to bone resorption and subsequent hypercalcemia by reducing phosphate concentration.
Secretion of parathyroid hormone-related protein by certain tumors.
Resorption of bone due to
- Primary bone marrow tumors (e.g. multiple myeloma and leukemia)
- Metastasis of other tumors, breast cancer for example, to bone.
- Paget disease
- Immobilization
Vitamin D related disorders
1. Vitamin D intoxication
2. Williams syndrome (increased sensitivity to vitamin D)
3. Sarcoidosis
Kidney failure

References

^ "Cell Injury".
^ ^a ^b Bertazzo, S. et al. Nano-analytical electron microscopy reveals fundamental insights into human cardiovascular tissue calcification. Nature Materials 12, 576-583 (2013).
^ Miller, J. D. Cardiovascular calcification: Orbicular origins. Nature Materials 12, 476-478 (2013).
^ "MIR Teaching file case bs139".
^ Kumar, Vinay (2014). Pathologic Basis of Disease. Elsevier. p. 65. ISBN 978-1455726134.

v t e Electrolyte imbalances
Calcium	High Low Symptoms and signs Chvostek sign Trousseau sign Milk-alkali syndrome Disorders of calcium metabolism Hypercalcemia of malignancy Calcinosis (Calciphylaxis, Calcinosis cutis) Calcification (Metastatic calcification, Dystrophic calcification) Familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia
Chloride	High Low
Magnesium	High Low
Phosphate	High Low
Potassium	High Hyperkalemic periodic paralysis equine Low Hypokalemic periodic paralysis Hypokalemic sensory overstimulation
Sodium	High Salt poisoning Low Hypotonic Isotonic Cerebral salt-wasting syndrome

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