Korean J Ophthalmol.  2011 Dec;25(6):440-442. 10.3341/kjo.2011.25.6.440.

Calcinosis Cutis at the Tarsus of the Upper Eyelid

• Jun I
• Kim SE
• Lee SY
• Kim GJ
• Yoon JS

• KMID: 1031192
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3341/kjo.2011.25.6.440

Abstract

Calcinosis cutis involves the inappropriate deposition of calcium within the dermis layer of the skin, and is often associated with rheumatoid disease. A 42-year-old woman presented for evaluation of a hard palpable mass on the left upper eyelid. After everting the eyelid, a large papillomatous mass with a broad base was identified on the superior area of the tarsus. The lesion was partially excised posteriorly under local anesthesia, and pathologists identified the mass as calcinosis cutis. The patient had no systemic or trauma history, and the serum levels of calcium and phosphorous were normal. Idiopathic calcinosis cutis should be included in the differential diagnosis for a protruding papillomatous mass of the tarsal plate, and surgical debulking could be a viable option for large protruding lesions, although more follow-up is necessary to monitor regrowth.

Keyword

Calcinosis cutis; Idiopathic; Papillomatous mass; Tarsus

MeSH Terms

Adult
Calcinosis/*pathology/surgery
Eyelid Diseases/*pathology/surgery
Female
Humans
Skin Diseases/*pathology/surgery

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Papillomatous mass involving the tarsus is shown in the left eye.

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  Fig. 2 Histopathologic finding of the tarsal lesion. (A) Low power view of the lesion (H&E, ×12) with a significant amount of amorphous calcium material (stained pink) and multiple calcium crystals (stained purple). (B) High power view showing the calcium crystals in the lesion (H&E, ×100). Arrow, calcium crystal; arrow head, tarsal epithelium.

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