Calcinospherules: A Unique Morphology of Dystrophic Calcification That Mimics Deep Fungal Infection.

Dystrophic calcification may occur in association with cutaneous neoplasms. We report the case of a 50-year-old woman with unusual appearing dystrophic calcification that was mistaken for coccidiomycosis during Mohs micrographic surgery for an invasive squamous cell carcinoma on the lower lip. The term "calcinospherule" is suggested as a term to describe the round calcified bodies found within the lesion that mimicked spherules with endospores characteristic of Coccidioides imitis infection. Both the dermatopathologist and Mohs micrographic surgeon should be aware of this entity as well as other calcified bodies that may be encountered in Mohs micrographic surgery frozen sections. Literature regarding these calcified bodies is briefly reviewed.