Surgical Management of Idiopathic Ulcerative Calcinosis Cutis in the Lower Extremity: A Case Report

Publication date: Available online 13 November 2019Source: The Journal of Foot and Ankle SurgeryAuthor(s): Alton R. Johnson, Danielle Mooshol, Vikram Thakar, Marie WilliamsAbstractThe purpose of this case study is to describe the surgical treatment of idiopathic ulcerative cutaneous calcinosis or calcinosis cutis of the lower extremity. A 77-year-old Latin American female who reported no significant past medical history presented to our hospital's emergency department from her home complaining of worsening right lower extremity erythema, edema, increased temperature, and pain. It was noted that the patient presented with multiple cutaneous calcified nodules to bilateral lower extremities, which she stated has been present for approximately 40 years. At the time of evaluation, 1 of the nodules on the lateral aspect of the right lower extremity ulcerated and became infected with unknown etiology, which lead to cellulitis of this limb. Radiographic imaging studies of the bilateral lower extremities showed extensive sheetlike soft tissue calcification overlying the middle to distal lower extremities. Serology reports showed the patient was positive for rheumatoid factor, antinuclear antibodies, SS-A/Ro antibody, and SS-B/La antibody. Because of the evidence of frank purulence and cellulitic changes to the infected nodule, the patient was taken to surgery the following day for sharp debridement and biopsy of the site. Postoperatively, there were minimal signs of improved healing t...
Source: The Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery - Category: Orthopaedics Source Type: research