Vascular calcification in a young patient with end-stage renal disease

Abstract

Vascular calcification in children with long-standing dialysis is a unique phenomenon. Hyperphosphataemia and hyperparathyroidism are the major pathogenic risk factors. We describe a young patient with end-stage renal disease diagnosed since childhood and underwent prolonged dialysis therapy. He was admitted for recurrent episodes of acute joint pain. Investigations confirmed diffuse periarticular, vascular, and intracardiac calcifications which were rarely seen in the young population. He underwent parathyroidectomy and incidentally found to have a co-existing papillary carcinoma of thyroid. After parathyroidectomy, serial X-rays showed resorption of these calcifications.