Calciphylaxis: A Deceiving Cellulitis

Abstract

Calciphylaxis is a rare and serious disorder seen most in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on dialysis. It is associated with the calcium deposits in small and medium blood vessels of the skin and subcutaneous tissues resulting in painful skin lesions, plaques, ulcerations, gangrene, and secondary infections. The aim of our present report is to create awareness and encourage providers to consider calciphylaxis in the differential diagnosis of cellulitis in the appropriate clinical setting.

Long‐term leg ulcers resistant to antibiotic therapy

“…Calciphylaxis can also arise in patients with normal renal function and is linked to female sex, advanced age, diabetes and obesity, as in this case 2–5 . Other risk factors are use of anti‐vitamin K drugs and presence of malnutrition, prothrombotic conditions or electrolyte disorders 1–6 . The most probable risk factor in our patient was the anticoagulation with acenocoumarin, associated with a positive lupus anticoagulant and prothrombotic state.…”

“…Its multifactorial and uncertain aetiology often leads to diagnostic delay 2,3 . Mortality secondary to septic complications ranges from 50% to 80% 1–5 . Calciphylaxis is usually associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD), and has a prevalence of 1–4% in this group of patient 1–5 .…”

“…Mortality secondary to septic complications ranges from 50% to 80% 1–5 . Calciphylaxis is usually associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD), and has a prevalence of 1–4% in this group of patient 1–5 . Calciphylaxis can also arise in patients with normal renal function and is linked to female sex, advanced age, diabetes and obesity, as in this case 2–5 .…”

“…Calciphylaxis is usually associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD), and has a prevalence of 1–4% in this group of patient 1–5 . Calciphylaxis can also arise in patients with normal renal function and is linked to female sex, advanced age, diabetes and obesity, as in this case 2–5 . Other risk factors are use of anti‐vitamin K drugs and presence of malnutrition, prothrombotic conditions or electrolyte disorders 1–6 .…”

Calcifilaxis. Comunicación de un caso

“…Habitualmente las lesiones se ubican en el tercio proximal de extremidades inferiores así como en la región abdominal, sitios donde el tejido adiposo suele ser más abundante. 7,8 Es bilateral y con tendencia a la simetría. Inicia con áreas dolorosas, bien circunscritas, de color violáceo, en las que posteriormente se desarrolla necrosis, dando lugar a úlceras crónicas, muy dolorosas, de bordes cortados a pico, refractarias a tratamiento.…”