Tumoral calcinosis--or is it? A case report and review

Tumoral calcinosis is an uncommon lesion, composed of ectopic calcified tissue, most commonly seen in the large joints of the hips, shoulders, and elbows, but may involve the hand and wrist. Patients will often present with localized swelling and reduced mobility around the involved joints. Pain is inconsistent when presenting in the hands or wrists, but the lesions may interfere with daily activities. Multiple variations of the process have been described, ranging from those with no definable etiology (primary), to those associated with disorders (secondary) such as renal insufficiency, hyperparathyroidism, or hypervitaminosis D. The original description of tumoral calcinosis, however, is the familial or hereditary type. Treatment of this process involves optimizing the underlying physiology and complete surgical excision for symptomatic cases.