Analytical Electron Microscopic Study of Mineral Deposits in a Case of Calcionsis Universalis

application/pdfCalcinosis universalis with dermatomyositis occurred in a 58-year-old woman. Tissues removed from the patient's sublingual region were studied mainly by analytical electron microscopic methods. According to an elemental analysis using a wavelength dispersive X-ray spectroscope, most of the mineral deposits contained the elements sodium, phosphorus, calcium, rhenium, and some deposits also contained sulphur and magnesium. The elements sodium, sulphur, chlorine, and calcium were found in the stromal tissues of the material. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy demonstrated that the analysis-peaks of phosphorus and calcium were higher in the mineral deposits than in the stromal tissues. The mineral deposits throughout the specimen were mainly composed of hydroxyapatite, judging from field-limited area electron diffraction and X-ray diffraction examinations.journal articl