Calcification
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Calcification is the accumulation of calcium salts in a body tissue. It normally occurs in the formation of bone, but calcium can be deposited abnormally in soft tissue,[1][2] causing it to harden. Calcifications may be classified on whether there is mineral balance or not, and the location of the calcification.[3] Calcification may also refer to the processes of normal mineral deposition in biological systems, such as the formation of stromatolites or mollusc shells (see Biomineralization).
Signs and symptoms
Part of a series related to |
Biomineralization |
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Calcification can manifest itself in many ways in the body depending on the location.
In the pulpal structure of a tooth, calcification often presents asymptomatically, and is diagnosed as an incidental finding during radiographic interpretation. Individual teeth with calcified pulp will typically respond negatively to vitality testing; teeth with calcified pulp often lack sensation of pain, pressure, and temperature.[citation needed]
Causes of soft tissue calcification
Calcification of soft tissue (arteries, cartilage,
absorption due to a high calcium/vitamin D ratio. This can occur with or without a mineral imbalance.A common misconception is that calcification is caused by excess amount of calcium in diet. Dietary calcium intake is not associated with accumulation of calcium in soft tissue, and calcification occurs irrespective of the amount of calcium intake.[4]
Intake of excessive
Mineral balance
- systemicmineral imbalance.
- Metastatic calcification, a systemic elevation of calcium levels in the blood and all tissues.
Forms
Calcification can be pathological or a standard part of the aging process. Nearly all adults show calcification of the pineal gland.[7]
Location
- Extraskeletal calcification, e.g. calciphylaxis
- Brain, e.g. primary familial brain calcification (Fahr's syndrome)
- Choroid plexus usually in the lateral ventricles[8]
- Tumor calcification[9]
- Arthritic bone spurs
- Kidney stones
- Gall stones
- Heterotopic bone
- Tonsil stones
- Pulp stone
Breast disease
In a number of
Arteriosclerotic calcification
One of the principal causes of arterial stiffening with age is vascular calcification. Vascular calcification is the deposition of mineral in the form of calcium phosphate salts in the smooth muscle-rich medial layer of large arteries including the aorta. DNA damage, especially oxidative DNA damage, causes accelerated vascular calcification.[11] Vascular calcification could also be linked to the chronic leakage of blood lysates into the vessel wall since red blood cells have been shown to contain a high concentration of calcium.[12]
Diagnosis
In terms of diagnosis, in this case vascular calcification, an ultrasound and radiography of said area is sufficient.[13]
Treatment
Treatment of high calcium/vitamin D ratio may most easily be accomplished by intake of more vitamin D if vitamin K is normal.[citation needed] Intake of too much vitamin D would be evident by anorexia, loss of appetite, or soft tissue calcification.[citation needed]
See also
References
- ^ PMID 23603848.
- ^ a b Miller, J. D. Cardiovascular calcification: Orbicular origins. Nature Materials 12, 476-478 (2013).
- ^ Calcification The American Heritage Science Dictionary. Retrieved 2013-03-23.
- ^ "Calcium beyond the bones". Harvard health Publishing. March 1, 2010.
- ^ Paul Price, et al., "Warfarin-Induced Artery Calcification Is Accelerated by Growth and Vitamin D", Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology, 2000, Vol. 20, pp. 317-327.
- ^ McGavin, Zachary. Pathologic basis of veterinary disease, fourth edition; Elsevier 2007.
- PMID 7063680. Archived from the original(PDF) on 2012-03-24. Retrieved 21 June 2012.
- ^ Muzio, Bruno Di. "Normal intracranial calcifications | Radiology Reference Article | Radiopaedia.org". Radiopaedia.
- ^ calcification in ovarian tumours
- ^ Robbins and Cotran (2009), Pathologic Basis of Disease, 8th edition, Elsevier.
- S2CID 218634735.
- S2CID 254095098.
- PMID 17200042.