Mönckeberg medial calcinosis of the infraorbital arteries: a first case report

Abstract

Mönckeberg medial calcinosis describes calcifications affecting only the tunica media of medium-sized arteries. The entity is strongly associated with chronic kidney disease and diabetes mellitus. Radiographically, medial calcinosis presents as areas of linear calcifications in soft tissue; the linear calcifications are referred to as "tram tracks," "pipe stem," "rail tracking," or "tram line" when the affected vessel is viewed longitudinally. In oral and maxillofacial radiology, it is generally an incidental finding of the facial artery. In this article, we review the literature of Mönckeberg medial calcinosis and its clinical significance related to systemic diseases; we also present a case of Mönckeberg medial calcinosis of the head and neck that affects the facial arteries, internal carotid arteries, and infraorbital arteries. We believe this is the first presentation in the literature of Mönckeberg medial calcinosis visualized in the infraorbital arteries.