[Terminal kidney insufficiency caused by disseminated cholesterol emboli as a complication of intra-arterial...

Following a renal PTA a 63-year-old man developed a multisystem illness caused by disseminated cholesterol embolism. The clinical manifestations were changing myalgia, peripheral ischaemia, livedo reticularis, episodic hypertension, eosinophilia and rapidly progressive renal insufficiency. The diagnosis was made on the clinical picture and confirmed by skin biopsy. Ultimately, chronic intermittent haemodialysis was necessary. There is no specific treatment available for this disease. It is possible that this complication occurs more frequently, but often remains subclinical.