Diffuse idiopathic calcinosis cutis in an adult: a rare case

Idiopathic calcinosis cutis is a condition involving the deposition of calcium salts in the skin and subcutaneous tissue. The disease is a pathological condition of unknown origin and hence is idiopathic. The salt deposition is confined to areas such as the breast and vulva in females and scrotum and penis in males. Diffuse calcification with multiple complications in an adult is a rare entity. Only one such case has been reported in literature. A 59-year-old female presented to us with swelling of the right elbow, multiple calcific nodular lesions all over her fingers approximately 0.5x0.5 cm in size, and ulcers on her left great toe and right thumb with pain for the past two months. The ulcers were 2x2 cm and were observed to be healing without active discharge or signs of inflammation. The elbow was diffusely swollen and tender. Flexion deformity was present at the elbow. X-ray of hand and feet revealed calcinosis of the elbow and interphalangeal joints of the foot and hand. Blood tests revealed elevated C-reactive protein levels of 24 mg/dL, elevated Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) of 52 mm/hr., serum calcium of 9.7 mg/dL and a serum phosphorous of 5 mg/dL. Cultures from the foot ulcer were positive for methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Workup for collagen vascular disease was negative. Histopathology confirmed calcinosis cutis. Treatment involved a conservative approach, including physiotherapy for the flexion deformity, antibiotics for MRSA, analgesics for pain relief and daily dressings. This case demonstrates that if a patient presents with multiple chalky nodular lesions with or without ulceration, pain and discharge involving areas of the upper limb or lower limb, diagnosis of idiopathic calcinosis cutis could be considered as a differential, despite its common confinement to the scrotum, breast, vulva and penis.