Computed tomography in soft tissue calcification layering

Soft tissue calcification occurs in a variety of disorders. When it is associated with an abnormal calcium phosphorous product, it may present as large, periarticular masses that demonstrate layering on horizontal beam radiographs or computed tomography (CT). Previous reports have shown this phenomenon in idiopathic tumoral calcinosis. We report two patients with metastatic calcification of different etiologies: one patient with tumoral calcinosis and one with secondary hyperparathyroidism complicating chronic renal failure. Both showed layering on CT. The pathology of this phenomenon as well as therapeutic implications are discussed.