Penile necrosis by calciphylaxis leading to gangrene in a patient with chronic renal failure on dialysis: A case report

Abstract

Highlights Penile necrosis by calciphylaxis is a rare disease. The diagnosis of CUA is often difficult. The Management of this rare condition is still a matter of debate.

Penile calciphylaxis diagnosis and treatment challenges a case report

“…Penile calciphylaxis is a very rare condition with around 50 cases reported in the literature [ [5] , [6] , [7] ]. In most of these cases, it is associated with systemic calciphylaxis [ 8 ]. Calciphylaxis is a rare and severe disease that manifests with painful skin ulceration and necrosis [ 9 ].…”

“…Many laboratory and radiological measurements failed to give a solid background for the diagnosis [ 1 , 8 , 9 ]. Penile Doppler ultrasound can be performed to assess the penile vascularity to exclude gangrene.…”

“…Early diagnosis is essential to prevent delay or improper treatment as it might be aggravated by the introduction of corticoids if misdiagnosed as balanitis [ 6 ]. Although biopsy of the lesion is the gold standard for definitive diagnosis [ 8 ], it carries the risk of sepsis and poor wound healing [ 4 , 8 , 9 ]. Hence, there are controversies about performing a biopsy in the standard workup and it is reserved for equivocal cases [ 9 ].…”

“…Treatment of penile calciphylaxis is challenging because of the systemic nature of the disease [ 2 , 5 , 9 ], and the unclear pathophysiology [ 2 , 9 ]. All the available data is based on case reports [ [5] , [6] , [7] , [8] ]. The main described problems are infection, poor healing, and agonizing pain [ 2 , 5 , 8 , 9 ].…”

“…All the available data is based on case reports [ [5] , [6] , [7] , [8] ]. The main described problems are infection, poor healing, and agonizing pain [ 2 , 5 , 8 , 9 ].…”