Unusual case of calciphylaxis associated with digital necrosis and penile necrosis

Abstract

Calciphylaxis is a relatively rare disorder associated with calcification of small- and medium-sized blood vessels, progressive ischemic skin necrosis, and ulcerations. This situation is a potentially life-threatening condition seen in patients with endstage renal disease (ESRD). A 64-year-old man with ESRD on dialysis for 6 years was admitted to our clinic with severe pain and partial necrosis of some fingers on his right hand. In addition, the patient had suffered from diabetes for 22 years and had been on insulin therapy for 17 years. His necrotic fingers were amputated. After two months, necrosis on his glans penis developed despite medical management. Penile amputation was performed. In this case report, the patient serves to illustrate the spectrum of complications with which calciphylaxis can be associated. © 2009 Versita Warsaw and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.