[Calcinosis cutis associated with connective tissue diseases].

Calcinosis cutis is characterized by calcified deposits in the skin and in subcutaneous tissues. The potential complications are ulceration, infection, functional limitation. According to serum calcium/phosphate levels, calcinosis cutis is classified in 4 subtypes: dystrophic, metastatic, iatrogenic, idiopathic. In dystrophic calcinosis, calcium/phosphate serum levels are within range. Dystrophic calcinosis occurs in damaged tissues and is associated with several connective tissue diseases (mainly systemic sclerosis and dermatopolymyositis). Its physiopathology remains unclear. Despite different therapeutic modalities in the litterature, there is no standard therapy for calcinosis. Thus, larger controlled studies are necessary.