Calciphylaxis following liver transplantation in a patient with end-stage renal disease: A case report

Calciphylaxis, also called calcific uremic arteriolopathy, is characterized by microvascular calcification and occlusion, which is commonly seen in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Although several studies have demonstrated an association of calciphylaxis with ESRD, reports linking calciphylaxis to LT (LT) are scarce. This report presents a rare case of calciphylaxis in a patient who underwent LT, leading to microvascular occlusion and hyperbilirubinemia.

A 34-year-old man presented with a 7-day history of jaundice and severe bilateral leg pain. The patient had undergone LT and was put on hemodialysis for one year due to calcineurin inhibitor-induced ESRD. Physical examination revealed jaundice, leathery skin changes, severe muscle pain in both legs, and penile induration. Laboratory tests identified elevated bilirubin levels, gamma-glutamyltransferase, and alkaline phosphatase, while alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase concentrations were within normal limits. Computed tomography (CT) revealed extensive calcifications in the subcutaneous tissue. Three-dimensional CT reconstruction indicated significantly reduced blood flow in the hepatic artery, primarily in the small to medium-sized branches. Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography confirmed hepatic ischemia, with no enhancement seen in hepatic artery branches. Liver biopsy specimen revealed no signs of rejection. The patient decided to receive conservative treatment and succumbed to the illness after six months.

This case indicates that calciphylaxis should be suspected in patients who have undergone LT with ESRD presenting with hyperbilirubinemia and skin lesions.