[Idiopathic tumoral calcinosis. A clinical case]

A 25-year-old Chilean woman of Jewish ancestry developed subcutaneous nodules at the thighs, axillae, elbows and coccygeal areas. X rays disclosed heavily calcified lesions at these levels. The patient's father had Whipple's disease, her mother and one brother had early hip osteoarthrosis and one son had idiopathic pancreatitis. Laboratory studies ruled out hyper or hypoparathyroidism. Electromyogram showed evidence of mild myopathy and inflammatory elements were present on muscle biopsy. However, the diagnosis of polymyositis associated to calcinosis was ruled out. Skin biopsy disclosed calcifications and fat necrosis. After 20 years of follow up, an increase in calcification specially at the pelvis and periarticular regions has been observed. Etiology, differential diagnosis and treatment are discussed.