FINE-NEEDLE ASPIRATION BIOPSY OF CALCINOSIS CUTIS - A CASE-REPORT

BACKGROUND: Metastatic calcifications are currently an uncommon compli cation in patients with end-stage renal disease due to improvements in management of these patients. When present, however, calcifications m ay mimic neoplastic growth and can undergo fine needle aspiration biop sy (FNAB). CASE: A case of calcinosis cutis was diagnosed by FNAB in a 50-year-old male with a history of end-stage renal disease who presen ted with a subcutaneous nodule in the right side of his neck. CONCLUSI ON: The presence of histiocytes, foreign body-type giant cells and ref ractile material (calcium crystals) in FNAB material is diagnostic of calcinosis cutis in the proper clinical setting.