[Disseminated ischemic necrosis and livedo racemosa in a chronic dialysis patient with calciphylaxis]

Calciphylaxis occurred in a 40-year old female patient with end-stage renal failure. The patient developed livedo racemosa ("livedo reticularis") with painful skin necrosis and ulcers involving multiple areas of the hip and legs after 22 years of hemodialysis. X-ray-examinations revealed calcinosis of peripheral arteries, especially of the pelvis, thigh and hands, while histological examinations showed a fibrosis and calcinosis of small subcutaneous arteries. A generalized cutaneous microangiopathy could be demonstrated by transcutaneous oxygen pressure measurements. Laboratory data showed a moderate secondary hyperparathyroidism with mild elevation of calcium-phosphate product. In addition to the hemodialysis an attempt was made to improve the microcirculation by vasoactive drugs. The clinical course was characterized by slow healing of the ulcers and occurrence of new areas of cutaneous necrosis. Calciphylaxis is a rare late complication in patients with advanced, often end-stage renal failure. It has characteristic histopathological features and is frequently, but not always, associated with a disturbed calcium and phosphorus metabolism and mildly elevated levels of parathyroid hormone. Calciphylaxis is classified as a special type of metastatic calcinosis.