Idiopathic calcinosis cutis of the buttocks: A case report and review of the literature

Medicine (Baltimore). 2023 Apr 14;102(15):e31129. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000031129.

Abstract

Rationale: Calcinosis cutis is a rare skin disease, and idiopathic cases are rarely reported. It is characterized by the deposition of insoluble calcium salts in the skin, subcutaneous tissue, superficial muscles, and tendon sheaths. However, no abnormal changes were found in the bone. In this article, we introduce a case of idiopathic calcinosis cutis of the buttocks with a long course and large lesion area.

Patient concerns: A 51-year-old male patient was admitted to the hospital with a chief complaint of 'Due to the discovery of hard nodules with pruritus in the buttocks for 32 years. The patient was a male who was 51 years old. He has been in good health and reported no history of surgery, trauma, infection, metabolic disease, tumor, or other diseases. There was no family history. It is worth noting that the patient has the occupation of driving trucks, which keeps him sedentary.

Diagnoses: The accurate diagnosis of calcinosis cutis was confirmed by postoperative histopathological examination with many local calcifications and multinucleated giant cells in subcutaneous tissue.

Interventions: The patient underwent skin lesion excision and autologous skin grafting under general anesthesia. A medium-thickness skin graft from the left lateral thigh was transplanted into the hip operation area, and a bolus tie-over pressure dressing was applied. After the operation, the patient received anti-infection treatment and was advised to rest in the prone position to prevent extrusion of the operation area.

Outcomes: The postoperative recovery was good, and there was no recurrence after 4 months of follow-up.

Lessons: The incidence rate of cutaneous calcinosis is not clear. This patient had a large lesion area, long onset time, an invasion of the fat layer, and the onset site was located in the sacrococcygeal region. It is necessary to choose appropriate treatment methods.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Buttocks / pathology
  • Calcinosis Cutis*
  • Calcinosis* / diagnosis
  • Calcinosis* / etiology
  • Calcinosis* / surgery
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Skin / pathology
  • Skin Diseases* / diagnosis