[Calciphylaxis]

Abstract

Calciphylaxis is a form of extra-skeletal calcification characterized by calcium deposits in arterial tunica media and vascular thrombosis, which leads to tissue ischemia including skin ischemia with consequential skin necrosis. Necroses may also develop in the subcutaneous adipose tissue and skeletal muscle. The cause of this disorder remains unknown. It was first described by Bryant and White as early as 1989 in association with uremia, and the syndrome remained clinically inadequately recognizable until 1976. Then, Gipstein and coworkers described the disorder in more detail, followed by a great number of calciphylaxis case reports since then, including data on morbidity and therapeutic dilemmas. Calciphylaxis has been reported in association with hepatic insufficiency, obesity, and diabetes mellitus. The authors present the clinical procedure of identifying and treating major ulcerations on both lower legs in a patient with polymorbidity and recognized calciphylaxis, which caused skin necroses with consequential chronic leg ulcers.