Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis in a gadolinium-naive renal transplant recipient

Abstract

A 36-year-old woman presented with a 2-year history of multiple, raised, brown papules and indurated skin over her lower legs. She had received a renal transplant 11 years earlier, and had a history of recurrent deep vein thromboses despite a negative thrombophilic screen. The patient had no history of exposure to gadolinium. Histology at this time revealed a light perivascular lymphoid infiltrate, activated fibroblasts and prominent capillary vessels. The patient re-presented 1 year later with persistence of these lesions, in the setting of worsening renal function requiring haemodialysis. Repeat skin biopsies demonstrated increased dermal collagen and angiogenesis. The dermatopathological findings, in association with renal insufficiency and multiple deep vein thromboses, led to the diagnosis of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis.