Nephrocalcinosis

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Nephrocalcinosis, also 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 radiologically, and appears as a fine granular mottling over the renal outlines. These outlines eventually come together to form a dense mass.^[2]

Contents 1 Stages of nephrocalcinosis 1.1 Chemical nephrocalcinosis 1.2 Microscopic nephrocalcinosis 1.3 Macroscopic nephrocalcinosis 2 Causes 2.1 Causes of cortical nephrocalcinosis 2.2 Causes of medulary nephrocalcinosis 3 References

[edit] Stages of nephrocalcinosis

[edit] Chemical nephrocalcinosis

[edit] Microscopic nephrocalcinosis

[edit] Macroscopic nephrocalcinosis

[edit] Causes

[edit] Causes of cortical nephrocalcinosis

• Acute cortical necrosis. May be caused by:
  • Placenta abruptio
  • Placenta previa
  • Septic abortion
  • Transfusion reactions
  • Burns
  • Snake bite
  • Severe dehydration
  • Shock
  • Severe heart failure
  • Abdominal aortic surgery
• Chronic glomerulonephritis
• Alport syndrome
• Prolonged hypercalcemia and/or hypercalciuria
• Poisoning and toxicity
• Rejected renal transplants (which would give rise to cortical necrosis)
• Sickle cell disease (rare)
• Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) deficiency (rare)

[edit] Causes of medulary nephrocalcinosis

• Hyperparathyroidism
• Medullary sponge kidney (aka medullary cystic kidney disease)
• Renal tuberculosis
• Renal tubular acidosis
• Renal papillary necrosis
• Immobilization (leading to hypercalcemia and hypercalciuria)
• Milk-alkali syndrome
• Hypervitaminosis D
• Sarcoidosis
• Hyperoxaluria

[edit] References