Unusual Presentation of Recurrent Calcinosis Cutis in the Right Thumb of a 16-Year-Old Female

• Published in: Curēus (Palo Alto, CA) Vol. 16; no. 5; p. e59721
• Main Authors: Alam, Munir, ALAhmari, Abdullah S, ALAhmari, Ahmed S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Cureus Inc 06.05.2024; Cureus
• Subjects: Anti-inflammatory agents; Calcification; Case reports; Chronic illnesses; Connective tissue; Iatrogenesis; Internal Medicine; Metabolism; Metastasis; Orthopedics; Physical therapy; Plastic Surgery; Range of motion; Skin; Staphylococcus infections; Ultrasonic imaging; calcinosis cutis; multifactorial; idiopathic; recurrent; calcium deposition
• ISSN: 2168-8184; 2168-8184
• DOI: 10.7759/cureus.59721

Calcinosis cutis is a quite unusual disease represented by abnormal accumulation of calcium salts in the skin and subcutaneous tissues. Repeated cutis calcinosis means recurrent calcium deposition in pre-existing areas. The case report illustrated the case of a 16-year-old female who had recurrent calcium deposits on the base of her right thumb. The patient initially had swelling at the base of her right thumb, which had been present for six months now. The patient described the dorsal solid mass on top of the thumb base, which was painful and had reduced thumb mobility. There was swelling that became painful, specifically located at the same site as the previous surgery, with thumb restriction and superadded infection at the metacarpophalangeal joint. Routine lab tests, including blood tests and rheumatologic and autoimmune work-ups, were normal. Plain radiographs and ultrasound examinations unveiled the characteristics of calcifications in the thumb tissues. A skin biopsy was done and the calcium deposits in subcutaneous tissue were confirmed, matching calcinosis cutis. The approach to the treatment of this condition entailed conservative measures. Some included physiotherapy to correct a flexion deformity, antibiotics, painkillers, and daily dressing. The patient was advised to follow up and to consider excision of the nodules. This case points out the clinical manifestations, investigations, and initial management of available strategies for recurrent calcinosis cutis. Further studies and long-term follow-up are necessary to determine the optimal treatment approaches and outcomes for this rare condition.