METASTATIC CALCIFICATION

• The deposition of calcium slats in normal

tissues.
• It almost always reflects some derrangement
in calcium metabolism and increased levels of
calcium (hypercalcemia)
• Metastatic calcification can occur in normal
tissues whenever there is hypercalcemia.
 MAIN CAUSES
• Increased secretion of parathyroid hormone
• Destruction of bone due to the effects of
accelerated turnover (e.g., Paget disease),
immobilization, or tumors (multiple myeloma,
leukemia, or diffuse skeletal metastases)
• Vitamin-D related disorders including vitamin-
D intoxication and sarcoidosis.
• Renal failure, in which phosphate retention
leads to secondary hyperparathyroidism.
 MORPHOLOGY
• Metastatic calcification can occur widely
throughout the body but principally affects
the interstitial tissue of the vasculature,
kidneys, lungs and gastric mucosa.
 EFFECTS OF METASTATIC
CLACIFICATION
• Extensive calcification in the lungs may
produce remarkable radigraphs and
respiratory deficits.
• Massive deposits in the kidney
(nephrocalcinosis) can cause stones and renal
damage.
 PATHOGENESIS
• Excessive binding of inorganic phosphate ions
with the calcium ions

• Precipitation of calcium phosphate

 SITES OF METASTATIC CALCIFICATION
• Kidney (basement membrane of tubular
epithelium)
• Lungs (Alveolar wall)
• Stomach (Acid secreating fundul mucosal
glands)
• Blood vessels (Internal elastic lamina)
• Cornea
• Synovian (Joint causing pain and dysfunction)