Lingual calcinosis circumscripta in a captive sitatunga

Uncommon Atlantoocciptal Localization of Tumoral Calcinosis in a Dog

A 5-month-old male Rottweiler dog presented with an acute upper motor neuron tetraparesis. A computed tomography study of the cervical spine revealed amorphous mineralization of the soft tissues dorsal to the articular surface of the occipital bone and atlas. The calcification extended into the vertebral canal, causing significant dorsal compression of the spinal cord. Suboccipital craniectomy and partial dorsal atlas laminectomy were performed to remove the extradural calcification. Histopathology was compatible with tumoral calcinosis. Significant clinical improvement was noted in the immediate postoperative period, and there was complete recovery with no recurrence at the last clinical follow-up 15 months postoperatively. Suboccipital craniectomy and partial dorsal atlas laminectomy allowed successful surgical resection of a dorsal craniooccipital tumoral calcinosis in this dog. The decompression resulted in resolution of clinical signs and recurrence is unlikely since there is no underlying disease.

CALCINOSIS CIRCUMSCRIPTA IN A COHORT OF RELATED JUVENILE AFRICAN LIONS (PANTHERA LEO)

Three juvenile, genetically related African lions (Panthera leo) were evaluated for discrete dome-shaped subcutaneous masses present over the proximal lateral metatarsal-tarsal area. The lesions measured 3-8 cm in diameter, were fluctuant to firm, nonulcerated, and attached to underlying structures. On radiographic evaluation, the lesions were characterized by well-circumscribed punctate mineralizations in the soft tissue surrounded by soft tissue swelling without evidence of adjacent bony involvement. On cut surface, the lesions were made of numerous loculi containing 2-5-mm round-to-ovoid, white-to-gray, firm structures interspersed with fibrous tissue and pockets of serosanguinous fluid. Hematology, serum biochemistry, serum thyroid screening (including total thyroxine, total triiodothyronine, free thyroxine, and free triiodothyronine), and serum vitamin D panels (including parathyroid hormone, ionized calcium, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D) were unremarkable. Histopathologic evaluation of the lesions was consistent with calcinosis circumscripta with fibroplasia, chronic inflammation, and seroma formation. An additional two genetically related lions were considered suspect for calcinosis circumscripta based on presentation, exam findings, and similarity to the confirmed cases. All masses self-regressed and were not associated with additional clinical signs other than initial lameness in two cases.

Bilateral dystrophic calcinosis circumscripta in a cynomolgus macaque (Macaca fascicularis)

The authors describe a case in which well-circumscribed, expansile, and nonencapsulated nodular masses with missing digits were detected on the right and left feet in a 6-year-old female cynomolgus macaque from a routine toxicology study. Grossly, these masses were composed of variably sized and firm nodules containing white, chalklike material in the subcutaneous tissue on cross section. Microscopically, the nodules were composed of irregular lobules containing amorphous to granular, light to dark basophilic material that was surrounded by macrophages and multinucleated giant cells and separated by fibrous connective tissue. The nodule's contents were von Kossa and Alizarin red S positive. Serum calcium and phosphorus levels of this monkey were within normal ranges. Based on the gross pathology, histopathology, serum chemistry, and histochemistry, a diagnosis of dystrophic calcinosis circumscripta was made. Dystrophic calcinosis circumscripta is an uncommon syndrome of mineralization that occurs following tissue damage, without abnormalities in calcium and phosphorus homeostasis, and it is characterized by deposition of calcium salts in soft tissues. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of dystrophic calcinosis circumscripta in a cynomolgus macaque.

Calcinosis circumscripta in the dog: a retrospective pathological study

Calcinosis circumscripta is an uncommon syndrome of ectopic idiopathic, dystrophic, metastatic or iatrogenic mineralization characterized by deposition of calcium salts in soft tissues. This paper is a retrospective study of 77 canine cases. The age of dogs in the study varied from 4 months to 15 years and 55% were <1 year old, 74% <2 years old and 88% <4 years old. Several pure and mixed, typically large breed dogs were affected so that 28.6, 13 and 9% were German Shepherd, Rottweiler and Labrador Retriever respectively. The size of lesions varied from 2 mm to 13 cm in diameter but most lesions were between 0.5 cm and 3 cm in diameter. Lesions were solitary in 82% of the affected dogs, and occurred most commonly on the hind feet (50%) and tongue (23%). With multiple lesions there was no apparent body symmetry. Microscopically, most lesions were well-defined single or multiple variably sized aggregates of amorphous to granular, lightly to darkly basophilic material with or without peripheral granulomatous reaction and surrounded by varying amounts of fibrous connective tissue. Additionally, three small nodular masses in the wall of the jejunum of a dog were diagnosed as calcinosis circumscripta. This is the first reported case of idiopathic intestinal calcinosis circumscripta in the dog.