Dystrophic calcinosis of the penis

Calcinosis Cutis Inducing "Syringomatoid" Eccrine Hyperplasia: An Extremely Rare Example

Reactive "syringomatoid" eccrine proliferations are a well-established phenomenon, which can show similar but less extensive histological features of a syringoma. The cut-off between syringomatoid hyperplasia and syringomas is subjective and given the considerable morphological overlap, it is possible they represent two points on the same spectrum. Syringomatoid hyperplasia has been associated with several conditions including neoplasms and inflammatory dermatoses. Herein, we describe an extremely rare case of syringomatoid hyperplasia occurring with calcinosis cutis in a 54-year-old Caucasian male. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first such case described in the literature.

Idiopathic calcinosis cutis of the scrotum: a case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Abnormal deposition of calcium in the skin or subcutaneous tissue is termed calcinosis cutis. Idiopathic calcinosis cutis of the scrotum is an uncommon entity. The pathogenesis of idiopathic calcinosis cutis of the scrotum is debatable. The condition presents as several brown to yellowish nodules on the scrotum, gradually progressive, and mostly asymptomatic. Here we report a case of idiopathic calcinosis cutis of the scrotum with a brief review of the literature and a discussion on pathogenesis.

CASE PRESENTATION

A healthy looking, 50-year-old Nepali man presented with multiple growths on his scrotum for 15 years, which were mostly asymptomatic with an occasional complaint of itching. On physical examination, multiple pink to brown nodules ranging in size from 0.5 × 0.5 × 0.5 cm to 3 × 3 × 1 cm, which were painless and firm in consistency, were noted. On laboratory examinations the following were found to be within normal limits: serum calcium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone, and vitamin D hormone levels; uric acid; alkaline phosphatase; and lipid profile. Based on clinical features and laboratory reports, a diagnosis of idiopathic calcinosis cutis of the scrotum was made. The nodules were excised under local anesthesia in several sittings, which gave a good cosmetic result with no evidence of recurrence in 1-year follow-up period. A histopathological examination revealed dermis with areas of fibrosis and calcification along with numerous multinucleated giant cells and an absence of any cystic structure.

CONCLUSIONS

Idiopathic calcinosis cutis of the scrotum is a benign condition, which remains mostly asymptomatic. It presents as progressive multiple nodules of varying numbers and sizes. A histopathological evaluation reveals areas of calcification. The cause is either dystrophic calcification of cysts or idiopathic. Excision is the treatment of choice.

Idiopathic calcinosis cutis of the penis

Calcification of the skin occurs in three main forms: dystrophic; metastatic; and idiopathic. Idiopathic calcinosis cutis of the penis is a rare event and only 4 cases have been reported. Herein we present another case in a 19-year-old man and discuss its probable pathogenic origin.

Dystrophic scrotal calcinosis originating from benign eccrine epithelial cysts

Scrotal calcinosis has been classified as a form of idiopathic calcinosis cutis. However, the pathogenesis of the calcified nodules has not been fully elucidated: it is still unclear whether the condition is truly idiopathic, or the result of breakdown of calcified epithelial cysts. We describe a 29-year-old Japanese patient with scrotal calcinosis originating from epithelial cysts. Light microscopy revealed a large epithelial cyst containing von Kossa-positive material and several small dilated ductal structures beside the cyst. The epithelia of the cyst and ductal structures were connected, showing similar eccrine duct differentiation on immunohistochemical staining and electron microscopy. In the cyst lumen, calcium was present as needle-shaped crystals. The pathogenetic mechanism of calcium deposition seemed to be due to excessive production and discharge of matrical debris and sulphated mucopolysaccharides, which derived from luminal cells, and their accumulation in the lumina.