Cell injury: dystrophic calcification: practice question

A Pathology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Pathology · Cell injury: dystrophic calcification

Sample item

Calcium deposits are found in the following specimens. Which specimen shows dystrophic calcification?

ACalcium in the gastric mucosa of a patient with chronic renal failureBCalcium in the alveolar septa of a patient with hypercalcaemia of sarcoidosisCCalcium in renal tubular basement membranes in primary hyperparathyroidismDCalcified atheromatous plaque in the abdominal aorta

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Calcified atheromatous plaque in the abdominal aorta

Dystrophic calcification is the deposition of calcium in dead or degenerating tissue, such as atheromas, damaged valves, caseous nodes and old thrombi, with normal serum calcium. Metastatic calcification occurs in normal tissue when hypercalcaemia is present, typically in lungs, kidney and stomach. The abnormal tissue is the clue to the dystrophic type.

Option by option

A. Calcium in the gastric mucosa of a patient with chronic renal failure
Gastric calcification in renal failure is metastatic, in normal tissue with raised calcium phosphate product.
B. Calcium in the alveolar septa of a patient with hypercalcaemia of sarcoidosis
Alveolar septal calcium in hypercalcaemia is metastatic calcification.
C. Calcium in renal tubular basement membranes in primary hyperparathyroidism
Tubular calcification in hyperparathyroidism is metastatic, from hypercalcaemia.
D. Calcified atheromatous plaque in the abdominal aorta (correct)
Correct. Calcium in degenerate atheromatous tissue with normal serum calcium is dystrophic.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

Questions about this Pathology question

What is the answer to this Pathology question?

The best answer is D, Calcified atheromatous plaque in the abdominal aorta. Dystrophic calcification is the deposition of calcium in dead or degenerating tissue, such as atheromas, damaged valves, caseous nodes and old thrombi, with normal serum calcium.

Why is "Calcium in the gastric mucosa of a patient with chronic renal failure" not the answer?

Gastric calcification in renal failure is metastatic, in normal tissue with raised calcium phosphate product.

Why is "Calcium in the alveolar septa of a patient with hypercalcaemia of sar…" not the answer?

Alveolar septal calcium in hypercalcaemia is metastatic calcification.

Why is "Calcium in renal tubular basement membranes in primary hyperparathyro…" not the answer?

Tubular calcification in hyperparathyroidism is metastatic, from hypercalcaemia.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Cell injury: dystrophic calcification in Pathology. Metastatic calcification occurs in normal tissue when hypercalcaemia is present, typically in lungs, kidney and stomach. The abnormal tissue is the clue to the dystrophic type.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Cell injury: dystrophic calcification?

Learn each disease as a bundle: cause, key histology, markers, and the clinical hallmark. Then use the flashcards and the other Pathology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.