Calciphylaxis of the Upper Limbs—A Rare and Serious Disease with Multidisciplinary Treatments—A Case Series and Literature Review

<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Calciphylaxis or calcific uremic arteriolopathy is a rare but highly lethal pathology that occurs most frequently in a uremic context, although it can also occur outside of this context. It is characterized by the appearance of necrotic skin lesions. Localization to the upper limbs is rare and has a similarly progressive evolution. <b>Methods:</b> We present a series of two cases-a male and a female-with calciphylaxis diagnoses (including biopsies) and with the patients undergoing dialysis for end-stage renal disease, both with infected and extensive necrotic lesions to the hands and fingers. Both cases required serial debridement treatments and amputations. A literature review was conducted using the precise search terms "calciphylaxis", "upper limb", "uremic calcific arteriolopathy", and "end-stage renal disease" from January 2010 to May 2024. <b>Results:</b> One of the two reported cases ended with the patient's death. The results of the literature review (comprising seven similar cases) confirmed the rarity of calciphylaxis lesion localization to the upper limbs and the high mortality rate among these patients despite administered treatments. No therapeutic protocol for these cases was confirmed. <b>Conclusions:</b> The treatment of calciphylaxis cases is multidisciplinary. Although surgical intervention is controversial, it is necessary in some cases, sometimes serially. Localization to the thoracic limbs has the same evolution and poor prognosis as other localizations. A standardized therapeutic protocol for these cases is still far from being established.

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Publication Details

Journal
Diagnostics
Published
2025-05-06
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics15091179
Citations
2
Primary Topic
Parathyroid Disorders and Treatments
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
2.86
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article

Calciphylaxis of the Upper Limbs—A Rare and Serious Disease with Multidisciplinary Treatments—A Case Series and Literature Review

Shahab Abid, Mihaela Perţea, Andra-Irina Bulgaru-Iliescu, Malek Benamor et al.
2 citations
Diagnostics
Parathyroid Disorders and Treatments
2.86
article

Calciphylaxis of the Upper Limbs—A Rare and Serious Disease with Multidisciplinary Treatments—A Case Series and Literature Review

Shahab Abid, Mihaela Perţea, Andra-Irina Bulgaru-Iliescu, Malek Benamor, Abderrazek Abid, Alexandru-Hristo Amarandei
article en
2 citations

Abstract

<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Calciphylaxis or calcific uremic arteriolopathy is a rare but highly lethal pathology that occurs most frequently in a uremic context, although it can also occur outside of this context. It is characterized by the appearance of necrotic skin lesions. Localization to the upper limbs is rare and has a similarly progressive evolution. <b>Methods:</b> We present a series of two cases-a male and a female-with calciphylaxis diagnoses (including biopsies) and with the patients undergoing dialysis for end-stage renal disease, both with infected and extensive necrotic lesions to the hands and fingers. Both cases required serial debridement treatments and amputations. A literature review was conducted using the precise search terms "calciphylaxis", "upper limb", "uremic calcific arteriolopathy", and "end-stage renal disease" from January 2010 to May 2024. <b>Results:</b> One of the two reported cases ended with the patient's death. The results of the literature review (comprising seven similar cases) confirmed the rarity of calciphylaxis lesion localization to the upper limbs and the high mortality rate among these patients despite administered treatments. No therapeutic protocol for these cases was confirmed. <b>Conclusions:</b> The treatment of calciphylaxis cases is multidisciplinary. Although surgical intervention is controversial, it is necessary in some cases, sometimes serially. Localization to the thoracic limbs has the same evolution and poor prognosis as other localizations. A standardized therapeutic protocol for these cases is still far from being established.

DiagnosticsVol. 15(9)
University of Monastir (TN), Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy (RO), Spitalul Clinic Judeţean de Urgenţe "Sf. Spiridon" Iaşi (RO), Hospital Fatuma Bourguiba Monastir (TN)
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 10%
Parathyroid Disorders and Treatments
2.86
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