Tumoral calcinosis: serial images to monitor successful dietary therapy.

Tumoral calcinosis involves formation of periarticular calcified soft tissue masses. Experimental evidence suggests a metabolic etiology with dietary restriction of calcium and phosphorus as beneficial therapy. We prospectively monitored serum levels of calcium, phosphorous, alkaline phosphatase, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) while successfully treating a patient with tumoral calcinosis. The values were compared with changes on serial radiographic and radionuclide bone and gallium images. Our work suggests using serial serum phosphate levels and the ESR as the most sensitive indications of progress in dietary treatment of tumoral calcinosis.