Calcinosis cutis complicating liver transplantation

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Dermatology
• Transplantation Medicine

Background:

• Liver transplantation is a complex procedure with potential complications.
• Ectopic calcification, including calcinosis cutis, can occur post-transplantation.
• Intravenous calcium administration is common in post-operative care.

Observation:

• A 41-year-old male developed cutaneous lesions 10 days after liver transplantation.
• Lesions appeared on the right upper arm, an area without direct intravenous calcium administration.
• The patient had received intravenous calcium chloride solution post-surgery.

Findings:

• The case presented is diagnosed as calcinosis cutis.
• Other common causes of ectopic calcification were excluded, including hyperparathyroidism and renal failure.
• Extravasation of calcium chloride was also ruled out as the cause.

Implications:

• This case suggests a potential link between systemic intravenous calcium chloride and localized calcinosis cutis in liver transplant recipients.
• It underscores the importance of monitoring for rare cutaneous complications after transplantation.
• Further investigation may be warranted to understand the precise mechanism of this adverse reaction.