Year: 2014
Type: article
Study design: Case Report
Abstract: A 48-year-old woman performing peritoneal dialysis for end-stage renal disease presented with a painful leg ulcer. The investigation revealed an elevated parathyroid hormone level and the histological examination of the biopsy tissue from the ulcer revealed medial calcification of the arterioles, consistent with calciphylaxis. The patient developed additional ulcers in the lower limbs and treatment with antibiotics, cinacalcet, sevelamer, sodium thiosulfate, low calcium dialysate and hyperbaric oxygen therapy was instituted. The patient had a favourable outcome and after 9 months the ulcers had healed and the parathyroid hormone level reached the normal range. Calciphylaxis is a rare and life-threatening disorder associated with a mortality of 60-80%. Its pathogenesis is not fully understood hence there is no consensus in the treatment of this pathology.
Source: BMJ Case Reports
Authors: Lisa Borges, Pedro Rosa, Emanuel Dias, Isabel Cássio
Institution: Hospital do Divino Espírito Santo
Language: English
Subfield: Nephrology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2000459179