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]

1 Stages of 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

^ Nephrocalcinosis. eMedicine (2003-09-09). Retrieved on 2007-03-10.
^ Albright's Nephrocalcinosis. e-radiology. Retrieved on 2007-03-10.

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Health science - Medicine - Urinary system - Pathology - Nephrology (N00-N39)

Diseases of the proximal convoluted tubules: Fanconi syndrome (Type II renal tubular acidosis) | renal cell carcinoma

Diseases of the distal convoluted tubules: pseudohypoaldosteronism (Type IV renal tubular acidosis)

Diseases of the collecting duct: Type I renal tubular acidosis

Tumours of the kidney: renal cell carcinoma | Wilms' tumour (children)

Diseases of the renal vasculature: renal artery stenosis | vasculitis | atheroembolic disease

Tubulointerstitial diseases of the kidney: Drug-induced interstitial nephritis | Obstructive nephropathy | Radiation nephritis | Reflux nephropathy | Sarcoidosis