Calcinosis Cutis in Triple Overlap Syndrome

Figure

Computed tomography was performed on a female patient in her 60s with known overlap syndrome—comprising dermatomyositis, acral-limited sclerosis, and lupus erythematosus—as part of the preparation for transcatheter aortic valve implantation. During the examination, extensive and confluent calcifications were observed subcutaneously in the middle and lower abdomen on the right side, as well as faint bilateral subcutaneous calcifications of the mammary glands. Calcinosis cutis is a chronic disorder characterized by the formation of insoluble calcium deposits in the skin and subcutaneous tissue. However, extensive subcutaneous calcifications in overlap syndrome are rare. Only 12 cases have been described in the literature to date, all involving two disorders. This patient had overlap syndrome comprising three disorders. Middle-aged women are most frequently affected. The most common sites of calcinosis cutis are the extremities, trunk, and hands or feet. Clinical symptoms often include pain and ulcerations. Treatment consists of surgical and pharmacological measures. Extensive subcutaneous calcifications should prompt consideration of a rheumatological disorder.

Milica Ilic, Prof. Dr. med. Dr. h. c. Andreas G. Schreyer, Klinik für Radiologie, Universitätsklinikum Brandenburg,

Conflict of interest statement: The authors declare that no conflict of interest exists.

Translated from the original German by Christine Rye.

Cite this as: Ilic M, Schreyer AG: Calcinosis cutis in triple overlap syndrome. Dtsch Arztebl Int 2025; 122: 585. DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.m2025.0133