Journal of Cytology (Jan 2016)

Iatrogenic calcinosis cutis: A rare cytological diagnosis

  • Gopal Krishna Sawke,
  • Tina Rai,
  • Nilima Sawke

DOI
https://doi.org/10.4103/0970-9371.177146
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 33, no. 3
pp. 166 – 168

Abstract

Read online

Calcinosis cutis is an uncommon condition characterized by the deposition of calcium salts in the subcutaneous tissues of the body. Calcifications can also occur in a variety of other clinical settings and can be subjected to fine-needle aspiration (FNA). Since cutaneous calcific deposits may clinically mimic a tumor, it is feasible to diagnose them by FNA cytology (FNAC). We reported a case of calcinosis cutis by FNA in a 36-year-old male who presented with a solitary subcutaneous nodule in cubital fossa. Smears showed amorphous granular material consistent with calcium and occasional histiocytes. The diagnosis was confirmed when cytosmears were subjected to a special stain such as the von Kossa stain.

Keywords