The development of
calcium salt deposits in the skin can occur in the presence or absence of membranous ossification and are categorized into
osteoma cutis (i.e., cutaneous
osteoma) and
calcinosis cutis. For the former, distinction into primary or secondary
osteoma cutis is mainly based on clinical and histopathological parameters, as primary
osteoma cutis originates without any underlying intradermal inflammatory or neoplastic process, as opposed to a far greater number of secondary
osteoma cutis that occur on the grounds of
inflammation or
tumors.
Genetic disorders might predispose a person to the formation of these overall rare
tumors. However, some patients develop primary
osteoma cutis in the absence of any genetic background. In pre-menopausal women with fair skin, the condition of multiple miliary
osteoma cutis is a relevant differential diagnosis for solid subcutaneous facial nodules. While pathogenesis remains unclear, most affected individuals have suffered from
acne vulgaris at some point. Excision might be a viable option for disturbing lesions, as are ablative
lasers. Here, we discuss and review relevant causes of
calcium salt deposits in the skin based on a notable case of multiple primary
osteoma cutis of the face in an otherwise healthy woman.