Accumulation of calcium in degenerated or necrotic tissue
Amyloidosis, dystrophic calcificationHistopathology of dystrophic microcalcifications in ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast, H&E stain. In contrast to an artifact of crowded cells, the calcification characteristically extends outside the focal plane, as the background DCIS is blurred in this focus.
Dystrophic calcification (DC) is the calcification occurring in degenerated or necrotic tissue, as in hyalinized scars, degenerated foci in leiomyomas, and caseous nodules. This occurs as a reaction to tissue damage,[1] including as a consequence of medical device implantation. Dystrophic calcification can occur even if the amount of calcium in the blood is not elevated, in contrast to metastatic calcification, which is a consequence of a systemic mineral imbalance, including hypercalcemia and/or hyperphosphatemia, that leads to calcium deposition in healthy tissues.[2] In dystrophic calcification, basophilic calcium salt deposits aggregate, first in the mitochondria, then progressively throughout the cell.[citation needed] These calcifications are an indication of previous microscopic cell injury, occurring in areas of cell necrosis when activated phosphatases bind calcium ions to phospholipids in the membrane.
Calcification in dead tissue
Caseous necrosis in T.B. is most common site of dystrophic calcification.
Congenital toxoplasmosis, CMV or rubella may be seen on X-ray as calcifications in the brain.
Density-Dependent Colour Scanning Electron Micrograph SEM (DDC-SEM) of cardiovascular calcification, showing in orange calcium phosphate spherical particles (denser material) and, in green, the extracellular matrix (less dense material).[3]
Calcification in degenerated tissue
Dense scars may undergo hyaline degeneration and calcification.
