Fine needle aspiration biopsy of calcinosis cutis. A case report.

BACKGROUND

Metastatic calcifications are currently an uncommon complication in patients with end-stage renal disease due to improvements in management of these patients. When present, however, calcifications may mimic neoplastic growth and can undergo fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB).

CASE: A case of calcinosis cutis was diagnosed by FNAB in a 50-year-old male with a history of end-stage renal disease who presented with a subcutaneous nodule in the right side of his neck.

CONCLUSION

The presence of histiocytes, foreign body-type giant cells and refractile material (calcium crystals) in FNAB material is diagnostic of calcinosis cutis in the proper clinical setting.