Case History: Known case of hypopharyngeal cancer, postradiotheraphy five to 10 years.Patient presented for follow up after completion of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, no active complaints.Blood investigations show normal serum calcium and phosphate levels.
Patient presented for follow up after completion of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, no active complaints.
Figure 1. Multiple foci of tiny, rounded calcification are noted in subcutaneous layer over bilateral cheek, suggests possibility of radiotherapy-induced subcutaneous calcification, calcinosis cutis.
Figure 2. Multiple foci of tiny, rounded calcification are noted in subcutaneous layer over bilateral cheek, suggests possibility of radiotherapy-induced subcutaneous calcification, calcinosis cutis.
Diagnosis: Calcinosis cutis
Calcifications occurring in the skin and subcutaneous tissue of patients with postradiotherapeutic carcinoma hypopharynx are dystrophic in nature.
Dystrophic calcification occurs as the result of local tissue injury and/or a persisting local abnormality, such as a wound.
Calciphylaxis occurs due to the accumulation of small calcium deposits on the dermis and subcutaneous fatty tissue vessel walls.
In our patient, dystrophic calcification and metaplastic bone formation occurred on the radiotherapy exposed areas.
Calcinosis cutis is a postradiotherapeutic complication that can be demonstrated on plain radiographs and more easily on CT.
