Disodium etidronate therapy for dystrophic cutaneous calcification.

A patient with extensive disabling dystrophic cutaneous calcification and possible scleroderma was treated with orally administered doses of a diphosphonate known as disodium etidronate. This course of therapy seemed to arrest and partially reverse the progression of the calcifying process. Some deep deposits were then seen to dissipate and be partially reabsorbed, while some small superficial depcific deposits were halted in most areas while the patient was under therapy. Clinically, pain was reduced, recurrent abscess formation ceased, and joint mobility was improved.