Skip to main content
Log in

Calciphylaxis: A condition mimicking necrotizing vasculitis

  • Case Report
  • Published:
Clinical Rheumatology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

A patient with end stage renal disease developed ischaemic skin necrosis and digital gangrene. He had diffuse arterial calcification associated with hyperparathyroidism secondary to renal failure. The patient received inappropriate cyclophosphamide therapy as he had been misdiagnosed as having an inflammatory vasculitis. This clinical picture, previously named “calciphylaxis” should come into the differential diagnosis of systemic vasculitis in a uraemic patient with hyperparathyroidism.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Conn, J., Krumlovsky, F.A., Del Greco, F., Simon, N.M. Calciphylaxis: Etiology of progressive vascular calcification and gangrene? Ann Surg 1973, 177, 206–210.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Parfitt, A.M. Soft-tissue calcification in uremia. Arch Int Med 1969, 124, 544–556.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Meema, H.E., Oreopoulos, D.G. Morphology, progression, and regression of arterial and periarterial calcifications in patients with end-stage renal disease. Radiology 1986, 158, 671–677.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Gipstein, R.M., Coburn, J.W., Adams, D.A., et al. Calciphylaxis in man. Arch Int Med 1976, 136, 1273–1280.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Chan, Y.L., Mahony, J.F., Turner, J.J., Posen, S. The vascular lesions associated with skin necrosis in renal disease. Br J Dermatol 1983, 109, 85–95.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Rosen, H., Friedman, S.A., Raizner, A.E., Gerstmann, K. Azotemic arteriopathy. Am Heart J 1972, 84, 250–255.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Lowe, F.C., Brendler, C.B. Penile gangrene: A complication of secondary hyperparathyroidism from chronic renal failure. J Urol 1984, 132, 1189–1191.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Richardson, J.A., Herron, G., Reitz, R., Layzer, R. Ischemic ulcerations of skin and necrosis of muscle in azotemic hyperparathyroidism. Ann Int Med 1969, 71, 129–138.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Mehregan, D.A., Winkelmann, R.K. Cutaneous gangrene, vascular calcification, and hyperpara-thyroidism. Mayo Clin Proc 1989, 64, 211–215.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Selye, H., Gabbiani, G., Strebel, R. Sensitization to calciphylaxis by endogenous parathyroid hormone. Endocrinology 1962, 71, 554–558.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Massry, S.G., Gordon, A., Coburn, J.W. et al. Vascular calcification and peripheral necrosis in a renal transplant recipient. Am J Med 1970, 49, 416–422.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Bogdonoff, M.D., Woods, A.H., White, J.E., Engel, F.L. Hyperparathyroidism. Am J Med 1956, 21, 583–595.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Mehta, R.L., Scott, G., Sloand, J.A., Francis, C.W. Skin necrosis with acquired protein C deficiency in patients with renal failure and calciphylaxis. Am J Med 1990, 88, 252–257.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Churg, A. Miscellaneous disease associated with vasculitis and conditions mimicking vasculitis. In: Systemic vasculitides. Eds.: Churg, A., Churg, J. 1991, pp 373.

  15. Sigal, H.L. Pseudovasculitic syndromes. In: Arthritis and Allied Conditions. Ed.: Mc Carty, J.D., 11th ed., 1989, pp 1189–1196.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Melikoglu, M., Apaydin, S., Hamuryudan, V. et al. Calciphylaxis: A condition mimicking necrotizing vasculitis. Clin Rheumatol 15, 498–500 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02229650

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02229650

Key words

Navigation