Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 13, 2025
Inducing Acute Liver Injury in Rats via Carbon Tetrachloride CCl4 Exposure Through an Orogastric Tube
Published on: April 28, 2020
Calciphylaxis in a 30-Year-Old Woman With Alcoholic Cirrhosis: A Case Report
1Department of Radiology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, USA.
Insights
Calciphylaxis, a rare condition in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients, involves dangerous calcium and phosphorus buildup. Bone scintigraphy aids diagnosis, and renal transplant offers the best treatment outcome.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Vascular Biology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Calciphylaxis is a rare but severe condition affecting patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD).
- Impaired kidney function in ESRD leads to the accumulation of calcium and phosphorus.
- These minerals deposit in blood vessels and soft tissues, causing significant morbidity and mortality.
Observation:
- The case involves a 30-year-old female diagnosed with calciphylaxis.
- The patient presented with characteristic skin lesions indicative of the disease.
- Diagnosis was supported by less invasive imaging techniques.
Findings:
- Bone scintigraphy proved valuable in diagnosing calciphylaxis.
- This imaging modality can identify characteristic calcification patterns.
- The findings underscore the utility of bone scintigraphy in challenging diagnoses.
Implications:
- Early and accurate diagnosis of calciphylaxis is crucial for patient management.
- Bone scintigraphy offers a non-invasive method for diagnosis.
- Renal transplantation remains the most effective treatment for calciphylaxis in ESRD patients.
Abstract:
A diagnosis of calciphylaxis is rare amongst the vulnerable population of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD); however, it has poor outcomes when it does present. With ineffective clearance due to reduced kidney function, calcium and phosphorus accumulate and deposit in the intimal layer of blood vessels and other soft tissues throughout the body. It can be proven using biopsy of skin lesions characteristic of the disease or with less invasive methods including X-ray and bone scintigraphy. Calciphylaxis is typically seen in middle-aged patients who have undergone prolonged dialysis treatment and has a devastating prognosis unless the patient can obtain a renal transplant. In this report, we present a case of a 30-year-old female patient with calciphylaxis and highlight the value of bone scintigraphy for diagnosis, while noting the importance of organ transplant for proper treatment.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Chronic Pancreatitis I: Introduction
Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas, which occurs when the immune system becomes active and causes swelling, pain, and disruptions in organ function. Pancreatitis can manifest as either an acute or chronic condition.
Acute pancreatitis arises suddenly and lasts for a brief duration, while chronic pancreatitis is a long-term affliction...
01:26Diseases of the Liver and Gallbladder
Cirrhosis is characterized by the scarring of hepatic lobules in the liver, which are replaced by fibrous tissue, affecting the liver's normal functioning. NAFLD, on the other hand, is caused by an excessive build-up of fat in the liver, not...
01:29Chronic Pancreatitis II: Collaborative Care
Assessment:
01:24Esophageal Varices-I: Introduction
01:28Esophageal Varices-II: Clinical Features and Management
In the initial assessment, a thorough review of the patient's medical history is vital to identify risk factors such as liver disease, alcohol...
01:28Pleural Effusion II: Symptoms and Management
A pleural effusion is the abnormal collection of fluid between the parietal and visceral pleura layers of tissue that form the lining of the lungs and chest cavity. It can occur independently or due to surrounding parenchymal diseases, such as infection, malignancy, or inflammatory conditions.
Clinical Manifestations: