Tumoral calcinosis: light and electron microscopic study with electron diffraction and x-ray microanalysis of the mineral deposit.

Samples of deposits taken from sites close to articulations in a young black African suffering from tumoral calcinosis with hyperphosphoraemia were studied by light and electron microscopy techniques. Light microscopy demonstrated lesions of a foreign body granuloma type in contact with calcium salt deposits suggesting that the process was of an active nature. Electron microscopy, and the demonstration of acid phosphatase activity, led to the identification of two cell types: mono or multinuclear macrophage type cells which phagocytose the deposit, and fibroblastic type cells. No signs of damage to the microvessels or the interstitial collagen were noted which could serve as a basis or a physiopathological explanation of the deposition. The deposits were analysed by energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis and by electron diffraction and were considered to be hydroxyapatite.