FINE-NEEDLE ASPIRATION CYTOLOGY OF SOFT-TISSUE CALCINOSIS PRESENTING AS AN ENLARGING MASS IN THE CHEST-WALL

Calcinosis cutis is nit uncommon condition, and calcific deposits in p atients with end-stage renal disease are now somewhat I-are, due to im provement in management. Since calcific deposits may clinically resemb le a tumor, it is feasible to investigate them by fine-needle aspirati on cytology (FNAC). A 52-yr-old male with a history of end-stage renal failure presented with a 2-cm mass in the left chess wall. Within 6 m o the mass enlarged to nearly four times its original size. In view of clinical suspicion of malignancy, FNAC was performed. Cytopreparation s showed abundant calcium, indicative of soft-tissue calcinosis. The c ase is interesting, since the known history of end-stage renal failure enabled the FNAC diagnosis of soft-tissue calcinosis. (C) 1998 Wiley- Liss,Inc.