Intravascular calcium deposits in a critically ill patient. Light- and electron-microscopic findings

Arch Pathol Lab Med. 1993 Dec;117(12):1257-60.

Abstract

We describe a case of a 2-year-old girl with an unusual finding of amorphous hematoxyphilic substance in the pulmonary and myocardial vascular lumina. The patient had a prolonged history of intestinal obstruction necessitating extended periods of total parenteral nutrition. The patient terminally had hypercalcemia with levels reaching 4.63 mmol/L. The intravascular substance stains strongly positive for calcium, and weakly positive for fibrin. Electron microscopy shows that the substance has a distinctive configuration suggestive of calcium hydroxyapatite crystals.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Blood Vessels / pathology*
  • Blood Vessels / ultrastructure
  • Calcium / blood*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Coronary Vessels / pathology
  • Critical Illness*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lung / blood supply
  • Microscopy, Electron

Substances

  • Calcium