Multiple organ failure associated with extensive metastatic calcification in a patient with an intermediate state of human T lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) infection: report of an autopsy case

[Metastatic Pulmonary Calcification: A Rare Entity in the Differential Diagnosis Examination of Interstitial Lung Diseases]

A 70-year-old patient who received a kidney transplant about 20 years ago due to anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-positive, rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis was assigned to us for an evaluation of fibrosing interstitial lung disease with computer tomography (CT)-radiological changes assigned to acute alveolitis. She complained about long-term exertional dyspnea. In terms of lung function, there was some slight restriction (FVC 78 % of the target), and pronounced severe diffusion disorder (DLCO 41 % of the target). There was no evidence of exogenous allergic alveolitis in either the history or serology. In the bronchoscopically obtained samples, changes in the sense of a non-specific interstitial lung disease of the fibrotic type, e. g., matching a reaction in the context of immunosuppressive therapy, were observed. Herpes simplex virus was detected microbiologically in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Antiviral therapy was carried out under the working diagnosis of herpes pneumonitis. Immunosuppressive therapy was continued. The herpes virus could no longer be detected in a control. The patient initially reported subjective improvement of dyspnea. Repeated control CT imaging was carried out and after about one year, the initial radiological changes were still present and dyspnea was persistent. A new transbronchial lung biopsy revealed metastatic pulmonary calcification. Fortunately, the disease was not active. CONCLUSION:  In the differential diagnostic evaluation of interstitial lung diseases, especially in patients with a vulnerable calcium-phosphate balance and acid-base balance, as occurs, for example, in the context of chronic kidney diseases, the possibility of metastatic pulmonary calcification (MPC) must also be considered especially if the radiological picture shows persistent, upper lobe-accentuated ground glass opacities. The diagnosis requires multidisciplinary cooperation between pulmonologists, radiologists and pathologists.

Myocardial calcification in a patient with B-lymphoblastic leukemia accompanied by tumor lysis syndrome

Myocardial calcification, a rare disease that leads to chronic or acute heart failure and with a poor prognosis, occurs in patients with abnormal calcium-phosphorus metabolism. The association between myocardial calcification and tumor lysis syndrome has not been reported to date. A 50-year-old man with hyperthermia and general malaise presented to our hospital and was clinically diagnosed with B-lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) and febrile neutropenia accompanied by septic shock. Prednisolone was administered for tumor reduction. Two to three hours later, electrocardiography demonstrated ST elevation in V4-6, and blood tests showed elevated levels of cardiac enzymes. Transthoracic echocardiogram revealed diffuse severe hypokinesis with decreased left ventricular ejection fraction. Additionally, blood tests showed that serum phosphorus level increased to 8.0 mg/dl, which was likely due to tumor lysis syndrome. Circulatory and respiratory failure due to left heart failure progressed, and he died 3 days after administration of prednisolone. Pathological autopsy revealed diffuse proliferation of atypical B-lymphoblasts in the bone marrow, which led to the pathological diagnosis of B-ALL, accompanied by necrosis. On the cut surface of the heart, the left ventricle was dilated, and patchy yellowish-brown areas were present in the epicardial-side of the myocardium and spread through the circumferential wall of the left ventricle and interventricular septum. Microscopically, myocardial fibers were granularly basophilic in that area and were revealed as calcium deposits by Von Kossa staining. He was diagnosed with myocardial calcification. The drastic increase in the serum phosphorus level caused by tumor lysis syndrome seemed to be associated with myocardial calcification.

Metastatic pulmonary calcification as a rare complication of end-stage renal disease with coexistence of pulmonary metastases from renal cell carcinoma: case report and literature review

Purpose

We present a case of metastatic pulmonary calcification (MCP) in an asymptomatic patient with chronic kidney disease after renal transplantation and nephrectomy due to renal cancer. Chest computed tomography (CT) revealed bilateral, diffuse, centrilobular ground-glass opacities and heterogeneous, high-density areas distributed throughout the lungs, predominantly in the upper and middle lobes. Unusually, in our patient the metastatic calcification coexisted with pulmonary metastases from renal cell carcinoma associated with end-stage renal disease. To our knowledge, such coexistence has not been previously described.

Case report

CT, particularly high-resolution chest computed tomography (HRCT), plays an important role in detection and follow-up of MPC findings, which include ground-glass opacities and partially calcified nodules or consolidations, predominantly in the upper lung zones. Correct diagnosis is important because misdiagnosis may lead to improper or unnecessary treatment and/or procedures.

Conclusions

MPC is a rare condition that results from calcium deposition in the normal pulmonary parenchyma. MPC commonly occurs in patients with end-stage chronic kidney disease due to abnormalities in calcium and phosphate metabolism. It is worth pointing out that despite the fact that the condition is called metastatic, it is a relatively benign lung disease with a generally good long-term prognosis.

Fatal cardiovascular instability secondary to hypercalcaemia and intracellular calcium deposition complicating T-cell leukaemia-lymphoma

Adult T-cell leukaemia-lymphoma is a rare haematological malignancy, which can cause severe hypercalcaemia and metastatic calcification resulting in life-threatening arrhythmias.

Pulmonary calciphylaxis associated with acute respiratory and renal failure due to cryptogenic hypercalcemia: an autopsy case report

Metastatic calcification is rare; it is found during autopsy in patients who underwent hemodialysis. Diffuse calcium precipitation of small and medium-sized cutaneous vessels, known as calciphylaxis, can result in progressive tissue necrosis secondary to vascular calcification. This condition most commonly involves the skin; however, a rare occurrence of visceral calciphylaxis has been reported. Here we report on an autopsy case. Despite a thorough evaluation, and even performing an autopsy, the underlying cause of acute-onset hypercalcemia, resulting in the production of pulmonary calciphylaxis and metastatic renal calcification associated with acute respiratory and renal failure, could not be determined. Metastatic calcification often lacks specific symptoms, and the degree of calcification is a marker of the severity and chronicity of the disease. This unusual autopsy case emphasizes the importance of rapidly progressing visceral calciphylaxis, as well as its early detection.

[Pulmonary metastatic calcification]

INTRODUCTION

The lung is the organ most frequently involved by metastatic calcification. This condition is probably under-diagnosed, the patients usually being asymptomatic. This article summarizes the current knowledge concerning pulmonary metastatic calcification.

BACKGROUND

The pathogenesis of pulmonary metastatic calcification is not well known, but it involves phosphate-calcium balance, renal function and pH. The most frequently encountered aetiologies are hyperparathyroidism, neoplastic bony lesions, and renal failure. The definitive diagnosis is achieved by histology, radiological examinations being insensitive. The clinical manifestations are various and can include a pulmonary restrictive syndrome, diffusion abnormalities, hypoxaemia and respiratory failure. The latter can be severe and influence the prognosis adversely: 19 cases of fatal pulmonary metastatic calcification have been reported. The treatment is aetiological and symptomatic.

VIEWPOINT

The prognostic factors for a poor outcome of this potentially lethal condition remain to be determined. The management of asymptomatic patients is also uncertain.

CONCLUSIONS

Pulmonary metastatic calcification is a rare condition of complex pathogenesis. The clinical manifestations are varied, ranging from asymptomatic to severe, even fatal.

Pathogenesis of Metastatic Calcification and Acute Pancreatitis in Adult T-Cell Leukemia under Hypercalcemic State

Human T-cell leukemia virus type-1 (HTLV-1) is the causative agent of adult T-cell leukemia (ATL). Hypercalcemia is common in patients with ATL. These patients rarely develop metastatic calcification and acute pancreatitis. The underlying pathogenesis of this condition is osteoclast hyperactivity with associated overproduction of parathyroid hormone-related protein, which results in hypercalcemia in association with bone demineralization. The discovery of the osteoclast differentiation factor receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL), its receptor RANK, and its decoy receptor osteoprotegerin (OPG), enhanced our understanding of the mechanisms of ATL-associated hypercalcemia. Macrophage inflammatory protein-1-α, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1, and interleukin-6 are important molecules that enhance the migration and differentiation of osteoclasts and the associated enhanced production of RANKL for osteoblast formation. In this paper, we focus on metastatic calcification and acute pancreatitis in ATL, highlighting recent advances in the understanding of the molecular role of the RANKL/RANK/OPG system including its interaction with various cytokines and calciotropic hormones in the regulation of osteoclastogenesis for bone resorption in hypercalcemic ATL patients.

Pulmonary metastatic calcification in a leukemic patient: a case report

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common type of leukemia in children and accounts for 80% to 85% of cases. Hypercalcemia-associated pulmonary calcification has been observed in ALL, but overall it is a rare condition. Hereby, we wanted to report a case of pulmonary metastatic calcification in a 4-year-old girl with diagnosis of ALL in our center, who died 1 year after diagnosis of leukemia. Pulmonary infiltrates were seen 2 months after diagnosis of leukemia, which was proved to be the flecks of calcium in alveolar spaces after open-lung biopsy performed 4 months after diagnosis of ALL, but elevated serum calcium was detected late in the course of the disease (7 mo after lung biopsy), this late occurrence of hypercalcemia is not reported yet.

Molecular pathology of odontogenic tumors

Odontogenic tumors are lesions derived from the elements of the tooth-forming apparatus and are found exclusively within the jawbones. This review represents a contemporary outline of our current understanding of the molecular and genetic alterations associated with the development and progression of odontogenic tumors, including oncogenes, tumor-suppressor genes, oncoviruses, growth factors, telomerase, cell cycle regulators, apoptosis-related factors, regulators of tooth development, hard tissue-related proteins, cell adhesion molecules, matrix-degrading proteinases, angiogenic factors, and osteolytic cytokines. It is hoped that better understanding of related molecular mechanisms will help to predict the course of odontogenic tumors and lead to the development of new therapeutic concepts for their management.

Soft tissue uptake of Tc99m-MDP in acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is associated rarely with hypercalcemia. This may be due to elevated levels of parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTHrP). We report a case of an 18-year-old female patient who was presented with a pathological fracture of left intertrochanteric region. Bone scintigraphy was consistent with features of hypercalcemia associated with metastatic calcification. A bone marrow biopsy led to the diagnosis of ALL. The mechanism of hypercalcemia in ALL, metastatic calcification and soft tissue uptake of bone seeking agents in this case are discussed in detail.

Metastatic calcification of the nasal septum presenting as an intraoral mass: a case report with a review of the literature

Metastatic calcification is a pathologic condition characterized by deposition of calcified product in otherwise normal tissues as a result of hyperphosphatemia with or without concurrent hypercalcemia. Metastatic calcification presenting clinically as an oral lesion is extremely rare. To date, only 7 cases of metastatic calcification involving the oral soft tissues have been described. This report describes a case of metastatic calcification of the nasal septum presenting as a mass of the anterior maxillary vestibule in a patient with end-stage renal disease. The case reported is only the second example with nasal septum involvement. A brief review of the clinical and histopathologic features of previously reported intraoral cases is also presented.