Abstract
A 7-year-old boy presented with a 10-day history of papules on the trunk. Physical examination revealed numerous tiny white papules, 1-2mm in diameter, with an erythematous halo, mainly grouping on the right shoulder and left lower waist. Histologically, the papules consisted of subepidermal calcium deposits and localized acanthosis, where dilatated acrosyringium contained the accumulation of a keratinized mass and calcium. Laboratory data suggested the absence of calcium metabolism abnormality. On the basis of these findings, the skin lesions were diagnosed as milium-like idiopathic calcinosis cutis. An analysis of 29 previous cases and this one suggested that this skin disorder results from the temporary deposition of calcium in the acrosyringium due to disturbed sweat secretion, and that a part of the calcium deposits accumulates in the dermis and a part is eliminated from the skin. This skin disorder is more frequently seen on the hands and feet of children with Down's syndrome, the reason for which is unclear.Skin Research, 13: 26-34, 2014