IPLab:Lab 2:Metastatic Calcification: Difference between revisions
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== Clinical Summary == | == Clinical Summary == | ||
This 47-year-old woman diagnosed with metastatic carcinoma of the breast was also found to have severe hypercalcemia. She developed metastatic calcification which was most prominent in the kidneys and lungs. | This 47-year-old woman diagnosed with metastatic carcinoma of the breast was also found to have severe hypercalcemia. She developed metastatic calcification which was most prominent in the kidneys and lungs. The patient was provided hospice care and died of respiratory failure. | ||
In addition to the metastatic breast cancer, important gross findings at autopsy included lungs that were gritty and firm and which weighed 1330 grams. The patient's parathyroid glands were normal. | |||
In addition to the metastatic breast cancer, important gross findings at autopsy included lungs that were gritty and firm and which weighed 1330 grams. The patient's parathyroid glands were normal | |||
== Images == | == Images == | ||
Latest revision as of 15:10, 19 June 2020
Clinical Summary
This 47-year-old woman diagnosed with metastatic carcinoma of the breast was also found to have severe hypercalcemia. She developed metastatic calcification which was most prominent in the kidneys and lungs. The patient was provided hospice care and died of respiratory failure.
In addition to the metastatic breast cancer, important gross findings at autopsy included lungs that were gritty and firm and which weighed 1330 grams. The patient's parathyroid glands were normal.
Images
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This is a gross photograph of the cut section of the patient's lung showing evidence of severe metastatic calcification. The lung tissue has a rough, firm appearance with open airways. -
This low-power photomicrograph of the patient's lung illustrates large, open alveolar spaces. The pleural surface is the curved surface at the top. -
A higher-power photomicrograph shows a blood vessel cut in longitudinal section (1). Several of the alveoli are filled with a pink-staining proteinaceous fluid (2) indicative of pulmonary edema. The alveolar septa and the wall of the blood vessel have a purplish color due to massive deposition of mineral (primarily calcium) in these tissues (3). -
This high-power photomicrograph of a blood vessel shows calcium deposits in the vascular wall (1) and proteinaceous material (2) (from edema) within some of the alveoli. The smooth muscle in the vessel wall has been almost completely replaced by calcium deposits. -
This photomicrograph demonstrates pulmonary alveoli with extensive calcium depositions (1) in the septa and protein accumulations (2) in the alveoli. -
Metastatic calcification is only one of two forms of pathologic calcification. Unlike metastatic calcification, dystrophic calcification does not require an increase in serum calcium levels. This is a gross specimen of a heart with dystrophic calcification of the aortic valve (arrow). -
A closer view of this same aortic valve (arrow) illustrates the nodularity and thickening of this valve. This valve would be extremely stiff and almost entirely immobile. This particular example of dystrophic calcification is associated with a degenerative change of the aortic valve due to an unknown cause. -
This gross photograph affords a closer view of the same aortic valve. Note the nodularity and thickening of this valve due to fibrosis and dystrophic calcification.
Virtual Microscopy
Lung: Metastatic Calcification
Normal Lung
Study Questions
Additional Resources
Reference
- eMedicine Medical Library: Hypercalcemia
- Merck Manual: Breast Cancer
- Merck Manual: Hypercalcemia
- National Cancer Institute: Breast Cancer
Journal Articles
- Ullmer E, Borer H, Sandoz P, Mayr M, Dalquen P, Solèr M. Diffuse pulmonary nodular infiltrates in a renal transplant recipient. Metastatic pulmonary calcification. Chest 2001 Oct;120(4):1394-8.
Images
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