Penile calciphylaxis: an unusual cause of penile necrosis

Penile calciphylaxis in a patient with end-stage renal disease: a case report and review of the literature

“…A total of 50 cases of penile calciphylaxis have been reported in the English literature ( Table 1 ) [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 ]. The average age was 54.5 years (range 32 to 81).…”

Tender, necrotic plaques of the glans penis due to calciphylaxis

“…The exact pathogenesis of calciphylaxis remains unclear, but it occurs predominantly in those with end stage renal disease undergoing chronic hemodialysis. Other risk factors include female gender, diabetes, obesity, concomitant vascular disease, elevated calcium x phosphate product (CPP), and hyperparathyroidism secondary to nephropathy [1,3]. A CPP greater than 70 mg 2 /dL 2 may put patients at an increased risk for vascular calcification, but it is not required for patients to develop calciphylaxis and many patients, as in this case, have a normal CPP [4].…”

Tender, necrotic plaques of the glans penis due to calciphylaxis

“…Other risk factors include female gender, diabetes, obesity, concomitant vascular disease, elevated calcium x phosphate product (CPP), and hyperparathyroidism secondary to nephropathy [1,3]. A CPP greater than 70 mg 2 /dL 2 may put patients at an increased risk for vascular calcification, but it is not required for patients to develop calciphylaxis and many patients, as in this case, have a normal CPP [4].…”

“…Although a thorough history and clinical features may be suggestive of calciphylaxis, histopathological examination of a skin biopsy is the gold standard for diagnosis [3]. Calcium deposition in the media of dermal and subcutaneous arterioles is the most common histopathologic feature [3,7].…”

“…Calcium deposition in the media of dermal and subcutaneous arterioles is the most common histopathologic feature [3,7]. The Von Kossa stain may be utilized to highlight calcium deposition as seen in the histopathological evaluation of this patient's punch biopsy specimen (Figure 4).…”