Subungual oxalate deposits in a patient with secondary hyperoxaluria

Abstract

Oxalosis describes the deposition of calcium oxalate crystals in renal and extrarenal tissues. Primary hyperoxaluria encompasses three genetic disorders of glyoxylate metabolism, characterised by excessive urinary excretion of oxalic acid, which results in oxalosis (1). Secondary or acquired hyperoxaluria results from increased intake of oxalate or oxalate precursors such as ethylene glycol, or from increased absorption of oxalate in patients with intestinal disease or who have undergone ileal resection (2). It has also been described in patients with acute or chronic renal failure (3). They fail to excrete oxalates, leading to the formation and deposition of stones in tissues and organs such as the heart, arterial walls, bone, the digestive system and the skin (4-6). We report here a patient with secondary oxaluria caused by chronic renal failure who presented with subungual deposits of oxalate crystals © 2011 The Authors.