Nephrocalcinosis
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Nephrocalcinosis, once known as Albright's calcinosis after Fuller Albright, is a term originally used to describe deposition of calcium salts in the renal parenchyma due to hyperparathyroidism. It is now more commonly used to describe diffuse, fine, renal parenchymal calcification on radiology.[1] During its early stages, nephrocalcinosis is visible on x-ray, and appears as a fine granular mottling over the renal outlines. These outlines eventually come together to form a dense mass.[1] It is most commonly seen as an incidental finding with medullary sponge kidney on an abdominal x-ray. However, it may be severe enough to cause (as well as be caused by) renal tubular acidosis or even end stage renal failure, due to disruption of the renal tissue by the deposited calcium.
Stages of nephrocalcinosis
- Chemical nephrocalcinosis
- Microscopic nephrocalcinosis
- Macroscopic nephrocalcinosis
Causes
Causes of cortical nephrocalcinosis
- Acute cortical necrosis. May be caused by:
- Chronic glomerulonephritis
- Alport syndrome
- Prolonged hypercalcemia and/or hypercalciuria
- Renal transplant rejection
- Sickle cell disease (rare)
- Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) deficiency (rare)
Causes of medullary nephrocalcinosis
- Medullary sponge kidney
- Hyperparathyroidism
- Renal tubular acidosis (specifically distal RTA)
- Renal tuberculosis
- Renal papillary necrosis
- Hyperoxaluria
And other causes of hypercalcemia (and thus hypercalciuria)
- Immobilization (leading to hypercalcemia and hypercalciuria)
- Milk-alkali syndrome
- Hypervitaminosis D
- Sarcoidosis
References
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Acknowledgement and Attribution Regarding Sources of Content
Some of the initial content on this page may be incorporated in part from copyleft sources in the public domain including wikis such as Wikipedia and AskDrWiki. Drug information for patients came from the The National Library of Medicine. Infectious disease information may have come from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Differential Diagnoses are drawn from clinicians as well as an amalgamation of 3 sources: 1.The Disease Database; 2. Kahan, Scott, Smith, Ellen G. In A Page: Signs and Symptoms. Malden, Massachusetts: Blackwell Publishing, 2004:3; 3. Sailer, Christian, Wasner, Susanne. Differential Diagnosis Pocket. Hermosa Beach, CA: Borm Bruckmeir Publishing LLC, 2002:7 .
