Calcinosis Cutis and Calciphylaxis Mimicking Skin Infection

Abstract

Abstract Calcinosis cutis refers to the deposition of calcium salts into the skin or subcutaneous tissue, and when these calcium deposits involve the vasculature, it is known as calciphylaxis (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448127/). These conditions can both mimic and predispose patients to infections; thus, diagnoses may be confused between the two. We present 3 cases involving cutaneous wounds due to calcium deposition and discuss their infectious considerations. The first case is a 74-year-old male patient with myeloid sarcoma and B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia who was evaluated for calciphylaxis of the bilateral lower extremities. The second case is a 70-year-old female patient with a history of squamous cell carcinoma with subsequent surgical resection and radiation therapy of the right elbow who presented with right elbow cellulitis. The third case is a 68-year-old male patient with a history of myositis ossificans and multiple surgical excisions of calcium deposits who presented with a draining wound of the left upper extremity.