Calciphylaxis and bilateral optic neuropathy

A 51-year-old woman on hemodialysis for chronic renal failure complained of visual loss in her right eye. Right optic disc edema was observed on fundus examination. An arteritic optic neuropathy was suspected. However, a first biopsy did not reveal any inflammatory cells. Two months later, the patient experienced sudden visual loss in her left eye and presented with necrotic cutaneous lesions at the distal phalanges of several fingers of the right hand. Necrotic lesions also appeared on the inner aspect of the thighs. Biopsy of the cutaneous lesions revealed calcification in the wall of a small artery. A new biopsy of the temporal artery showed large calcium deposits in the artery's tunica media. The diagnosis of optic neuropathy secondary to calciphylaxis was made. A temporal artery biopsy should be repeated if the first one is inconclusive. An early diagnosis leading to appropriate treatment may help to prevent an irreversible loss of vision in these patients.