Etiology:  The etiology of dystrophic mineralization is unknown.

Incidence:  Dystophic mineralization is common in predisposed strains such as DBA/2, BALB/c and C3H mice.

Clinical Signs:  Dystrophic mineralization is usually an incidental finding at necropsy.

Pathology:  Dystrophic calcification regularly occurs on the epicardium of the inbred strains of DBA/2 and BALB/c mice, and in the myocardium of C3H mice.  Soft tissue mineralization also occurs less frequently in other viscera such as the kidney, liver, serosa of the stomach, small and large intestines, and gonads.

Diagnosis:  Diagnosis is made based on gross and microscopic examination of affected organs.