CASE REPORTS   

Acta Vulnologica 2007 June;5(2):69-72

Copyright © 2007 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: Italian

Calciphylaxis: a case report

Verrini A., Pestarino A., Farris A.

U.O. di Dermatologia Ospedale S. Paolo, Savona

The authors report one case of calciphylaxis, a rare syndrome characterized by progressive cutaneous vascular calcification, especially seen in patients with chronic renal failure and secondary hyperparathyroidism. A painful necrosis of skin is caused by disturbed phosphate and calcium metabolism. Fulminant sepsis is a frequent cause of morbidity and mortality and is consequent to secondary infection of necrotic tissues. Rarely hypercalcemia causes the calcification of systemic and cutaneous small and medium size vessels. Some triggering events are known. Lesions begin as painful, symmetrical, violaceous discoloration and evolve into well demarcated, non healing ulcers, that become necrotic. Lesions may have a proximal or a distal localization. The diagnosis of calciphylaxis is based on clinical, biochemical and histopathological features. Calciphylaxis has to be suspected in uremic patients with painful ulcers. After recognition it is very important to prevent systemic infections, so wound care and pain control are vital.