Calcifying tendinitis in the hand.

Two cases of acute calcification in the hand are presented with a review of the clinical presentation, pathological findings, differential diagnosis, and treatment. The value of radiographic study is emphasized. A variety of conservative, non-operative treatments have been successfully utilized in the past and are reviewed. The importance of differentiating this infrequent problem from an acute infectious process is emphasized, inasmuch as hospitalization and surgical drainage may be indicated for an acute infection but not for cases of calcifying tendinitis.