# Calcinosis Cutis Universalis: A Review of Therapeutic Strategies and Surgical Management

## TL;DR

This review discusses treatment options for calcinosis cutis universalis, a rare condition causing calcium deposits in the skin, and proposes a stepwise approach combining medical and surgical strategies.

## Contribution

The paper proposes a stepwise therapeutic algorithm integrating medical, minimally invasive, and surgical approaches for managing calcinosis cutis universalis.

## Key findings

- Pharmacological treatments show variable and often partial efficacy, especially in early or localized disease.
- Surgical interventions provide meaningful relief in selected patients but are associated with risks.
- A multimodal and individualized strategy is essential for managing this condition.

## Abstract

Background/Objectives: Calcinosis cutis universalis is a rare and severe manifestation of dystrophic calcification, most associated with connective tissue diseases such as dermatomyositis, systemic sclerosis, and systemic lupus erythematosus. It is characterized by widespread deposition of calcium salts throughout the soft tissues, leading to pain, recurrent infections, restricted mobility, and significant impairment in daily functioning and quality of life. Management remains challenging due to the absence of standardized treatment guidelines with risks including delayed wound healing and recurrence. Adjunctive therapies may support symptom control in refractory cases. Conclusions: Management of calcinosis cutis universalis requires an individualized, multimodal strategy. Based on available evidence and expert opinion, a stepwise therapeutic decision-making algorithm integrating medical, minimally invasive, and surgical approaches is proposed to guide clinical practice and the variable efficacy of available therapies. This review aims to summarize current therapeutic strategies and to propose a pragmatic approach to clinical decision-making. Methods: A narrative review of the literature was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar. The review focused primarily on calcinosis cutis universalis and severe or extensive forms of calcinosis cutis, with particular emphasis on surgical management and its integration with medical and minimally invasive treatments. Results: Pharmacological treatments—including bisphosphonates, calcium-channel blockers, tetracyclines, phosphate binders, probenecid, immunomodulatory agents, biologics, colchicine, sodium thiosulfate and JAK inhibitors—show heterogeneous and often partial efficacy, with more favorable responses in early or localized disease. Surgical interventions such as excision, curettage, CO2 laser ablation, and reconstructive procedures provide meaningful symptomatic relief in selected patients but are associated.