Tumoral calcinosis: clinical and metabolic response to phosphorus deprivation

Two patients with extensive tumoral calcinosis were treated with aluminium hydroxide. Initial metabolic studies showed positive calcium and phosphorus balances which became negative with aluminium hydroxide treatment. One subject, who had renal impairment, developed transient hypercalcaemia, parathyroid suppression, low levels of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D and calcium malabsorption during treatment with aluminium hydroxide. The second patient developed calcium malabsorption due to vitamin D deficiency. When she was replete with vitamin D there were supranormal levels of 1,25-(OH)2D in the serum and enhanced calcium absorption during treatment with aluminium hydroxide. Both subjects developed hypercalciuria and there was dissolution of many of the calcific tumours. The patient with renal impairment accumulated aluminium in the bone.