Electron Microscopic Study of Mineral Deposits in Idiopathic Calcinosis of the Scrotum

Abstract

An excised specimen from a 39-year-old man with idiopathic calcinosis of the scrotum was examined by electron microscopy. Mineral deposits were located in the dermis in which collagen fibers were numerous. These collagen fibers appeared mineralized to varying degrees. Mineral crystals frequently were present in the cytoplasm of fibroblasts near large deposits. The mineral portion was identified as a compound consisting of calcium and phosphorus, and the elementary mapping of calcium and phosphorus in the skin tissue was analyzed by an energy dispersive x-ray spectrometer. No calcification was observed in dartos muscle cells or in mast cells.

Idiopathic scrotal calcinosis: a report of four cases and review of the literature

“…Strong support for this view comes from Takayma et al. 8 who, in their careful electron microscopic study of a case, found no evidence of cyst remnants.…”

“…They found no evidence of keratin in dermal tissue immediately adjacent to the calcium deposits and concluded that scrotal calcinosis was idiopathic. Strong support for this view comes from Takayma et al 8 who, in their careful electron microscopic study of a case, found no evidence of cyst remnants.…”

“…8 Transmission electron microscopy showed these crystals and mineral deposits to be on normal and degenerated collagen fibrils and within the cytoplasm of fibroblasts but not mast cells. 8 No calcification was observed in dartos muscles cells or mast cells. Irisawa et al .…”

“…Takayama et al . found electron‐dense needle and plate‐shaped crystals, and densely packed deposits on energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, which on spot analysis proved to be composed of calcium and phosphorus 8 . Transmission electron microscopy showed these crystals and mineral deposits to be on normal and degenerated collagen fibrils and within the cytoplasm of fibroblasts but not mast cells 8 .…”

The possible role of dartoic muscle degeneration in the pathogenesis of idiopathic scrotal calcinosis

“…were unable to find any cellular structures even in the smallest nodules and they supposed that idiopathic scrotal calcinosis is a degenerative phenomenon resulting from alterations in the chemical microenvironment leading to deposition of calcium and phosphorus. Takayama et al 10 . found mineral depositions located in the dermis and observed no calcifications or deposits in muscle cells by transmission electron microscopy.…”