Calciphylaxis
| Calciphylaxis
| |
|---|---|
| Synonyms | Calcific uremic arteriolopathy
|
| Specialty | Nephrology, Dermatology |
| Symptoms | Painful skin ulcers, necrosis |
| Complications | Sepsis, organ failure
|
| Causes | Chronic kidney disease, hyperparathyroidism, diabetes mellitus |
| Risk factors | End-stage renal disease, obesity, female gender |
| Diagnosis | Skin biopsy, clinical evaluation |
| Differential diagnosis | Warfarin-induced skin necrosis, cholesterol embolism
|
| Treatment | Sodium thiosulfate, wound care, pain management
|
| Prognosis | Poor |
| Frequency | Rare
|
Calciphylaxis, also known as calcific uremic arteriolopathy, is a rare and serious disease characterized by the calcification of small blood vessels within the dermis and subcutaneous tissue. This condition leads to the development of painful skin ulcers and can result in necrosis.
Symptoms[edit]
The primary symptoms of calciphylaxis include:
- Painful skin ulcers
- Areas of necrosis
- Erythema and induration around the affected areas
Complications[edit]
Calciphylaxis can lead to severe complications such as:
Causes[edit]
The exact cause of calciphylaxis is not fully understood, but it is commonly associated with:
Risk Factors[edit]
Several risk factors have been identified for calciphylaxis, including:
Diagnosis[edit]
Diagnosis of calciphylaxis is typically made through:
- Clinical evaluation
- Skin biopsy
Differential Diagnosis[edit]
Conditions that may present similarly and should be considered include:
Treatment[edit]
Treatment options for calciphylaxis focus on managing symptoms and may include:
Prognosis[edit]
The prognosis for calciphylaxis is generally poor, with a high risk of mortality due to complications such as sepsis and organ failure.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
 | This medical article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding the page. |
