Metastatic Calcification and Dystrophic Calcification

Last Updated on October 29, 2023

Metastatic calcification and dystrophic calcification are pathological calcification which means abnormal calcium deposits at the places where these are normally not found.

Heterotopic ossification is another name for pathologic calcification and both metastatic and dystrophic calcification constitute heterotopic calcification.

Normally, inorganic calcium salts are found in bones and teeth.

Pathologic or heterotopic calcification is the deposition of calcium salts in tissue other than osteoid [bone] and enamel [teeth]

Here are the details of these types of calcification

Metastatic Calcification

In this type of calcification, the tissue being affected is normal but the main defect is an elevated blood calcium level. Elevated calcium causes deposition of the calcium in tissues and results in the removal of calcium from the bones.

This type of calcium deposition occurs in a variety of sites like kidneys, lungs, stomach, blood vessels, cornea.

Causes of Metastatic Calcification

Chronic Renal Failure [causes secondary hyperparathryoidism]
Hyperparathyroidism
- Primary Hyperparathyroidism
- Secondary Hyperparathyroidism
Excessive absorption of calcium from the bowel
- Hypervitaminosis D
- Idiopathic hypercalcemia of infancy
Hypophosphatasia
Malignancies
- Parathyroid adenoma [causes primary hyperparathyroidism]
- Multiple myeloma
- Lymphoma
- Leukemia
- Hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma
- Synovial sarcoma
- Breast carcinoma
- Choriocarcinoma
Destructive bone lesions
Renal tubular acidosis
Mechanism of metastatic calcification

The mechanism of metastatic calcification is not clear.

Metastatic calcification can be influenced by the release of excess calcium salts from the bone. Phosphate concentration, alkaline phosphatase activity, and alkaline environment may contribute.

This leads to precipitation of The calcium phosphate and calcium carbonate salts in tissues.

Metastatic calcification occurs when there is hypercalcemia but it doesn’t happen in all cases of hypercalcemia.

Dystrophic Calcification

In dystrophic calcification, serum calcium levels are normal and the calcium salts are deposited in dead or degenerate tissues.

Mechanism of Dystrophic Calcification

The process of dystrophic calcification starts in membrane-bound vesicles within cells. When the membrane gets damaged, calcium binds to the phospholipid in the membrane. Phosphatases within the membrane add phosphate groups to the calcium, forming calcium phosphate which is the hydroxyapatite crystals in the regular bone.

Examples of Dystrophic Calcification

Following are examples of dystrophic calcification

Calcification of caseous tissue in tuberculosis
After fat necrosis in the breast or pancreatitis
Calcification in thrombus such as left ventricular thrombus, coronary artery calcification, inferior vena cava, superior vena cava
Hemorrhagic infarction in the spleen
Calcified hematoma
Myositis ossificans
Atherosclerotic plaques
Granulation tissue in chronic inflammation like constrictive pericarditis
Monckeberg’s sclerosis – A form of arteriosclerosis
Infection as in Schistosomiasis [Leads to calcification of the ureters, bladder, and seminal vesicles
Degenerate colloid goiter
Calcification in various types of cyst
Calcinosis Cutis
Degenerate tumor-like uterine leiomyoma

Spread the Knowledge

About Dr Arun Pal Singh

Arun Pal Singh is an orthopedic and trauma surgeon, founder and chief editor of this website. He works in Kanwar Bone and Spine Clinic, Dasuya, Hoshiarpur, Punjab.

This website is an effort to educate and support people and medical personnel on orthopedic issues and musculoskeletal health.

You can follow him on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter

Open Fractures- Features, Classification and Management

Open fractures are fractures where hematoma is in communication with the external environment. An open fracture may have a wound size ranging from a pinprick to complete baring of the bone. Open fractures have been further classified according to their severity and help the treating doctor to plan the treatment and measure the prognosis. Open […]

Muscles of Hand and Wrist

There are two groups of muscles of hand – extrinsic muscles and intrinsic muscles. Intrinsic muscles of the hand are those muscles which are located within the hand itself, in contrast to extrinsic muscles which originate proximally in the forearm and insert into the hand by long tendons. Extrinsic muscles are responsible for crude movements […]

Elbow Arthrocentesis or Elbow Joint Aspiration

Elbow arthrocentesis refers to puncture of the elbow joint and the aspiration of its synovial fluid. It is used for synovial fluid analysis to aid in diagnosis and also for therapeutic purposes. Analysis of the removed fluid helps to reach at its etiology. Anatomy of Elbow Joint Elbow region is the connecting region between arm […]

Residual Deformities after Polio and Their Treatment

Deformities after polio arise due to residual paralysis that weakens the limb after an acute attack of polio. The medical term for this is post polio residual paralysis. Weakened muscle strength, imbalance of the forces acting on a joint and unequal growth of affected and unaffected muscles results in limb length inequalities and joint deformities, […]

Rickets Causes and Treatment

Rickets is a condition where there is a defect in mineralization of the osteoid matrix caused by inadequate calcium and phosphate. If the defect occurs before the closure of the physis, it is known as rickets. The same defect when occurs after physeal closure is called osteomalacia Rickets or rachitis is a disease of infancy and […]

Femur Anatomy and Attachments

The femur is also called the thigh bone and is the longest and strongest bone of the body. It is composed of an upper end, a lower end and a shaft. The upper and bears a rounded head, whereas the lower end is widely expanded to from two large condyles. The head is directed medially. The […]

Cerebral Palsy Presentation and Management

Cerebral palsy is a group of permanent movement disorders appearing in early childhood and caused by abnormal development or damage to the parts of the brain that control movement, balance, and posture. The symptoms often include poor coordination, stiff muscles, weak muscles, and tremors. There could also be problems with sensation, vision, hearing, swallowing, and […]