Hydroxyapatite crystals in tumoral calcinosis: A case report

Abstract

Calcified deposits of tumoral calcinosis from a 77-year-old Japanese woman were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and x-ray diffraction method. SEM revealed conglomerates of granular calcified materials 0.2 to 0.5 μm in size. X-ray diffraction method revealed the presence of hydroxyapatite that was highly crystallized. No other components such as calcium pyrophosphate dehydrate were detected.