Breast Necrosis: Calciphylaxis a Rare Cause

Abstract

Calciphylaxis is a small vessel vasculopathy characterized by significant calcium deposition in the vessel walls and tissue of renal failure patients. The process leads to progressive, painful, ischemic wounding. Management is generally medical; however, superinfection requires surgical intervention. A case of calciphylaxis of the breast is presented. Calciphylaxis of the breast is atypical - the wounds are usually located on the abdomen and thighs. A discussion of the process, its progression, identification and surgical management is presented. A case is made for appropriate debridement and vacuum-assisted wound therapy.

Breast pain in a patient on dialysis: a rare manifestation of calcific uraemic arteriolopathy

“…The damaged microcirculation impairs proper wound healing and is a major threat for any invasive procedures such as biopsies 4. Also, due to patchy calcification patterns, histology can be inconclusive 5.…”

Breast Necrosis after Chemotherapy for Recurrent Ovarian Cancer: Report of a Case and Review of the Literature

“…Thornton reported a case of breast necrosis due to calciphylaxis . Calciphylaxis is a small vessel vasculopathy affecting patients with long‐standing renal failure and hyperparathyroidism.…”

“…It usually affects the skin of thighs, buttocks and abdomen area. There are a few reports of breast necrosis secondary to calciphylaxis . The management is primarily medical.…”

“…Breast necrosis is a very rare event and there have been a few reports of breast necrosis in the literature. The underlying causes of breast necrosis in the literature were calciphylaxis , methylene blue injection , harvesting of internal mammary artery in coronary artery bypass operation , prone position of the patient , and pregnancy and warfarin‐induced necrosis . As far as we know, there is no report of breast necrosis after chemotherapy.…”

Calciphylaxis of the Breast: A Case Report and Literature Review

“…Calciphylaxis lesions usually occur in areas of increased adiposity such as the skin of the abdomen, buttocks, and thighs . There are a few cases reported in the literature of calciphylaxis or CUA of the breast . CUA of the breast can present with pain, palpable mass, or swelling, with increased vascular calcifications seen on mammography.…”