Nephrocalcinosis

Nephrocalcinosis, once 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. During its early stages, nephrocalcinosis is visible on x-ray, and appears as a fine granular mottling over the renal outlines. These outlines eventually come together to form a dense mass. It is most commonly seen as an incidental finding with medullary sponge kidney on an abdominal x-ray. However, it may be severe enough to cause (as well as be caused by) renal tubular acidosis or even end stage renal failure, due to disruption of the renal tissue by the deposited calcium.

Stages of nephrocalcinosis

Chemical nephrocalcinosis
Microscopic nephrocalcinosis
Macroscopic nephrocalcinosis

Causes

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
Renal transplant rejection
Sickle cell disease (rare)
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) deficiency (rare)

Causes of medullary nephrocalcinosis

Medullary sponge kidney
Hyperparathyroidism
Renal tubular acidosis (specifically distal RTA)
Renal tuberculosis
Renal papillary necrosis
Hyperoxaluria
And other causes of hypercalcemia (and thus hypercalciuria) Immobilization (leading to hypercalcemia and hypercalciuria)
Milk-alkali syndrome
Hypervitaminosis D
Sarcoidosis

Translation of "Nephrocalcinosis"

German: Nephrokalzinose.