Dystrophic calcification.

Pathologic calcification is the abnormal tissue deposition of calcium salts, together with smaller amounts of iron, magnesium, and other mineral salts.
There are two form of pathologic calcification.

• Dystrophic calcifation: When the deposition occur locally in dying tissues it is known as dystrophic calcification. Here - 

• Normal serum calcium level.
• Absence of derangement in calcium metabolism.

• Metastatic calcification: Deposition of calcium salts in otherwise normal tissues.
• Almost always results from hypercalcemia secondary to some disturbance in calcium metabolism.

Example of dystrophic calcification:

1. In areas of necrosis whether they are of coagulative, caseous or liquefactive type and in foci of enzymatic necrosis of fat.
2. Atheromas of advanced atherosclerosis.

Although dystrophic calcification is a tell-tale sign of previous cell injury it is often a cause of organ dysfunction such in case of calcific valvular disease and atherosclerosis.