Revisiting the taxonomy of abnormal calcium deposits in burn survivors: Semantics of heterotopic ossification versus calcinosis cutis

Abstract

Abnormal calcium deposition is among the many sequelae that may arise following major burn injury. This may take the form of heterotopic ossification (HO) or calcinosis cutis (CC) within scarred skin. These two processes are distinct, but clinicians sometimes use the term “heterotopic ossification” as a catch-all term to reference any abnormal calcium deposition in a burn survivor. While HO is well-described, less attention has been devoted to CC. We present a case of CC to highlight the distinct presentations of CC vs. HO in hopes of promoting the use of semantically correct terms within the burn care community.

Keywords

• Burns
• Burn sequelae
• Calcinosis cutis
• Heterotopic ossification
• Abnormal calcium deposition