Question

Dystrophic calcification is seen in:

• A. Rickets
• B. Hyperparathyroidism
• C. Atheromatous plaque
• D. Vitamin A intoxication

Hint:

Dystrophic calcification occurs in damaged tissue with normal blood calcium; metastatic calcification needs high blood calcium.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

The question asks which option is an example of dystrophic calcification, calcium salt deposition in already damaged tissue, with the blood calcium level staying normal.

1. Rickets: This condition disturbs bone mineral handling from lack of vitamin D, and any related calcium and phosphate imbalance falls under the metastatic pattern of calcification, tied to abnormal blood mineral levels, not to local tissue death.
2. Hyperparathyroidism: Excess parathyroid hormone pulls calcium out of bone and raises blood calcium, this high blood calcium can then deposit in normal tissues like the kidney, this is metastatic calcification, driven by high serum calcium.
3. Atheromatous plaque: Inside an atheromatous plaque, the tissue has already been damaged by lipid buildup and cell death. Calcium salts settle in this locally injured tissue even though the blood calcium level is completely normal, which is exactly what defines dystrophic calcification.
4. Vitamin A intoxication: Too much vitamin A can raise blood calcium and lead to metastatic calcification in normal tissues, again tied to a raised blood level, not local damage.

Only the atheromatous plaque fits the definition of calcification occurring in locally damaged tissue with normal serum calcium, so it is the example of dystrophic calcification.

Let's summarize:

• Dystrophic calcification: local tissue damage, normal blood calcium, example is atheromatous plaque.
• Metastatic calcification: normal tissue, raised blood calcium or phosphate, examples are hyperparathyroidism, vitamin A or D excess, and rickets related mineral disturbance.

So the correct answer is atheromatous plaque.