Abstract

BACKGROUND: Calciphylaxis is a rare cutaneous disease, also known as calcific uremic arteriolopathy, that occurs most frequently in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease and on long-term hemodialysis.

CASE REPORT: We describe the case of a 61-year-old female patient with worsening chronic kidney disease not on dialysis therapy, who presented with severe progressive calciphylaxis on both lower limbs.

CONCLUSIONS: Calcific uremic arteriolopathy is a rare fatal condition that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment. It is classically described in patients with end-stage kidney disease on long-term renal replacement therapy but can present in patients with an earlier stage of kidney disease. Non-uremic calciphylaxis should be suspected in patients with earlier stages of kidney disease, especially in those with other concurrent risk factors or co-morbid conditions, to avoid the high risk of morbidity and mortality associated with such cases.

Keywords: calciphylaxis, Renal Insufficiency, Chronic, vascular calcification