From a general point of view, Calcification is the accumulation of calcium salts in a body tissue. It normally occurs in the formation of bone, but calcium can be deposited abnormally in soft tissue, causing it to harden. Calcifications may be classified on whether there is mineral balance or not, and the location of the calcification. Calcification may also refer to the processes of normal mineral deposition in biological systems, such as the formation of stromatolites or mollusc shells (see Mineralization (biology) or Biomineralization).
Recent investigations have modified this point of view regarding pathological calcifications. These entites refer to at least three very different families : concretions (found in hollow organs or ducts of the body. it is the case of kidney stones) metastatic calcifications and dystrophic calcifications (which can be considered as ectopic or tissular calcification).
In the case of pathological calcifications, one major point is linked to its chemical diversity. if calcium is involved in several phases, organic compounds such as cholesterol or uric acid have been also identified. In kidney, amino acids such as cystine can be found because of its low solubility.
Some results regarding concretions : the case of kidney stones
Nephrolithiasis is a very common condition in industrialized countries (its prevalence is relentlessly increasing). 80% of kidney stones are made of calcium oxalates. Two different crystalline forms of calcium oxalate exist : calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) or whewellite, and calcium oxalate dihydrate (COD) or weddellite. At this point it is of major importance to underline that COM kidney stones orients to a condition associated with hyperoxaluria, whereas COD kidney stones orients towards hypercalciuria.
A classification of whewellite stones into five main types, namely Ia, Ib, Ic, Id and Ie,. As an example, idiopathic stone formers with intermittent hyperoxaluria of dietary origin are associated to type Ia stones (the most common). Patients with primary hyperoxaluria, a severe inherited metabolic disease are related to type Ic kidney stones.
Video Calcification
Causes of soft tissue calcification
Calcification of soft tissue (arteries, cartilage, heart valves, etc.) can be caused by vitamin K2 deficiency or by poor calcium absorption due to a high calcium/vitamin D ratio. This can occur with or without a mineral imbalance.
Intake of excessive vitamin D can cause vitamin D poisoning and excessive intake of calcium from the intestine, when accompanied by a deficiency of vitamin K (perhaps induced by an anticoagulant) can result in calcification of arteries and other soft tissue. Such metastatic soft tissue calcification is mainly in tissues containing "calcium catchers" such as elastic fibres or sour mucopolysaccharides. These tissues especially include the lungs (pumice lung) and the aorta.
Maps Calcification
Mineral balance
- Dystrophic calcification, without a systemic mineral imbalance.
- Metastatic calcification, a systemic elevation of calcium levels in the blood and all tissues.
Symptoms
Calcification can manifest itself in many ways in the body. Several conditions can be caused by poor calcium absorption:
- Tartar on teeth
- Arthritic bone spurs
- Kidney stones
- Gall stones
- Heterotopic bone
Location
- Skeletal calcification
- Extraskeletal calcification
- e.g. calciphylaxis
- Brain (e.g. Fahr's syndrome)
- Tumour calcification
- e.g. calcification in ovarian tumours
Pattern
Patterns of calcifications may indicate pathological processes. Laminated appearance suggests granulomatous disease while popcorn calcification indicates hamartoma. Malignant lesions may have stippled or eccentric calcification.
Breast disease
In a number of breast pathologies, calcium is often deposited at sites of cell death or in association secretions or hyalinized stroma, resulting in pathologic calcification. For example, small, irregular, linear calcifications may be seen, via mammography, in a ductal carcinoma-in-situ to produce visible radio-opacities.
Treatment
Treatment of high calcium/vitamin D ratio may most easily be accomplished by intake of more vitamin D if vitamin K is normal. Intake of too much vitamin D would be evident by anorexia, loss of appetite, or soft tissue calcification.
See also
- Monckeberg's arteriosclerosis
- Pineal gland
References
Source of article : Wikipedia