[Tumoural calcinosis in a white male (author's transl)]

A case of tumoural calcinosis in a 61-years-old man. This is a rare condition (60 published cases), affecting above all black subjects. It takes the form of hard rounded masses which progressively increase in size and vary in their location (hips, elbows, shoulders, periscapular region). On X-rays, the tumour is rounded, consisting of a mass of several calcified small nodules. On technetium pyrophosphate isotope scanning, there is very marked and periarticular uptake. There is often hyperphosphoraemia associated with normal blood calcium levels, without any abnormality in the hormones controlling calcium and phosphate metabolism. Treatment usually consists of the excision of the tumour masses. More recently, the reduction of hyperphosphoraemia by the prescription of aluminium salts and a reduction in phosphorus intake has been suggested.