Large tumoral calcinosis in the gluteal region: a case report

BACKGROUND. Tumoral calcinosis is a poorly understood phenomenon. It can be described as a syndrome of calcium deposits principally affecting the juxta-articular areas. It is a rare entity that has been poorly understood. Our aim is to highlight a special and unusual case of an 11-year-old with a large, relatively painless lump in her buttock. CLINICAL CASE. An 11-year-old girl of African descent presented to our Bone Tumour Unit after being referred by her local hospital. The girl presented with a large lump on the posterolateral aspect of the right buttock, measuring 15cm in diameter. Due to the delay in referral/diagnosis, tethering of the skin had progressed to necrosis, with a sinus discharging milky-white fluid. A MRI scan further characterised the lump as a densely calcified area within the gluteus maximus, extending to the subcutaneous tissue. The characteristic features of the calcified mass on the images led to the diagnosis of tumoral calcinosis. Laboratory test did not demonstrate any metabolic disturbances. Pathology reports further confirmed the diagnosis and the lump was successfully resected. There were no recurrences on follow-up. CONCLUSION. Several cases of tumoral calcinosis have been described in the literature; however, it remains a rare entity. Being aware of the possibility and having knowledge of tumoral calcinosis is paramount in preventing confusion and delay in diagnosis for patients and clinicians.