Monckeberg’s sclerosis in a patient with systemic sclerosis

Rheumatol Int. 2009 Nov;30(1):105-7. doi: 10.1007/s00296-009-0896-5.

Abstract

Monckeberg’s sclerosis (MS) is one of the non-inflammatory vascular diseases characterized by calcification of the media of small and medium-sized muscular arteries, but is distinct from atherosclerosis. We present a case of MS that was incidentally detected by plain X-ray in a patient with systemic sclerosis. We took CT angiographs of the patient's lower extremities for the differential diagnosis of vascular calcification, which was confirmed. To determine if systemic sclerosis is a risk factor for MS, we reviewed plain X-rays from 43 well-documented systemic sclerosis patients, but we did not detect any cases of MS. We therefore conclude that systemic sclerosis may not be a risk factor for MS.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Humans
  • Incidental Findings
  • Lower Extremity / blood supply*
  • Middle Aged
  • Monckeberg Medial Calcific Sclerosis / complications*
  • Monckeberg Medial Calcific Sclerosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Risk Factors
  • Scleroderma, Systemic / complications*
  • Scleroderma, Systemic / diagnostic imaging
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed