Hepatocellular calcification.

A rare example of hepatocellular calcification is described. The lesion is characterized by the presence of granular calcific deposits within the cytoplasm of hepatocytes. In this instance the calcification was dystrophic, developing on the basis of centrilobular necrosis secondary to cor pulmonale. A transient hyperphosphatemia probably augmented the calcification process. Intracellular calcification was also observed in occasional cardiac myocytes. The intracytoplasmic calcific granules represent mineral-laden mitochondria. Sequestration of calcium by mitochondria is a common biochemical mechanism mediating various forms of toxic cell death. Pathological cellular calcification can be viewed as an uncommon morphological expression of this biochemical process.