Histopathology of Calciphylaxis: Cohort Study With Clinical Correlations. Am J Dermatopathol. 2017;39:795-802. [PMID: 29053546 DOI: 10.1097/dad.0000000000000824]

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

BACKGROUND

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.

CASE SUMMARY

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.

CONCLUSION

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

Anticoagulant-associated calciphylaxis: analysis of USFDA adverse event report system and clinical feature analysis of reported cases

BACKGROUND

Calciphylaxis is a serious, potentially fatal condition resulting in pathological calcification of soft tissues. While associated with chronic kidney disease, data regarding anticoagulant involvement remain limited.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

The United States Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (USFDA AERS) database was searched to identify calciphylaxis reports linked to anticoagulants from 2004 to 2024. Disproportionality analyses compared reporting rates versus usage. Literature was reviewed to extract calciphylaxis case details with specific anticoagulants.

RESULTS

Disproportionality signals were observed between calciphylaxis and warfarin, heparin, and apixaban from 471 unique reports. Literature review confirmed an association between warfarin and calciphylaxis based on 54 cases from 48 reports. Risk factors for warfarin-associated calciphylaxis included older age, female sex, and longer duration. Approximately two-thirds responded to sodium thiosulfate, bisphosphonates, or hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

CONCLUSION

This evaluation characterized calciphylaxis safety signals from pharmacovigilance data and literature review. Warfarin emerged as the most strongly associat.ed based on both sources. While limitations preclude causality determination, findings warrant attention regarding warfarin's calciphylaxis risk profile, especially in higher-risk populations. Additional research is needed, including controlled trials, to validate this relationship and optimize management.

Early diagnosis strategy of calciphylaxis in dialysis patients

Calciphylaxis, a rapidly progressive and potentially life-threatening vascular calcification syndrome that clinically presents with persistently painful, ulcerative, or necrotizing skin lesions in multiple parts of the body, is predominantly observed in patients treated with dialysis. Early diagnosis of calciphylaxis is a key measure for reducing high disability and mortality. At present, there is no unified diagnostic standard for calciphylaxis, and there is a lack of effective early screening strategies. This paper summarized and discussed the diagnostic accuracy of calciphylaxis based on the latest research worldwide. We propose a modified strategy for the early diagnosis of calciphylaxis, which is suitable for dialysis patients to help clinicians better identify such disease and improve prognosis.

Calciphylaxis during the course of psoriatic arthritis patient. Is it coincidence? A case report

Introduction and importance

Calciphylaxis manifests clinically by skin ischemia and necrosis and histologically by calcification of dermal arterioles. Usually, it occurs in patients with end-stage renal disease on dialysis or in patients who had a kidney transplant. Here, the authors present a case of calciphylaxis occurring in a patient with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

Case presentation

A 66-year-old Syrian male with a history of psoriatic arthritis presented for evaluation of 2-month nonpainful ulcers on his feet and hands that were treated with warfarin. Biopsies confirmed the diagnosis of calciphylaxis. The patient received sodium thiosulfate, zoledronic acid, intralesional sodium thiosulfate injections, and an intravenous infusion of vitamin K with dramatic improvement. At the 3-month follow-up, his wounds had been completely remitted.

Discussion

Nonuremic calciphylaxis occurs in many cases, like vitamin D administration, vitamin K antagonists' administration, chronic inflammation, and others. The association between calciphylaxis and psoriasis was reported only in four cases in the literature; meanwhile, this was the first case that described calciphylaxis in the setting of psoriatic arthritis.

Conclusion

A suspicion of calciphylaxis should be maintained in patients with underlying inflammatory mechanism diseases.

Cutaneous vascular calcifications in patients with chronic kidney disease and calcific uremic arteriolopathy: a cross-sectional study

INTRODUCTION

Calcific uremic arteriolopathy is a life-threatening cutaneous condition in patients with chronic kidney disease. Often, clinical diagnosis is accompanied by histopathologic evaluations demonstrating vascular calcium deposits. We aimed to investigate the presence of cutaneous calcifications in non-lesional tissue in patients with chronic kidney disease, and the relation to systemic vascular calcification.

METHODS

We investigated the presence of cutaneous vascular calcifications in non-lesional skin biopsies from patients with current or previous calcific uremic arteriolopathy and patients with different stages of chronic kidney disease without calcific uremic arteriolopathy, and explored their association with vascular calcification in other vascular beds. Systemic vascular calcification was examined by mammography and lumbar X-ray.

RESULTS

Thirty-nine adults were enrolled (current or previous calcific uremic arteriolopathy, n = 9; end-stage chronic kidney disease, n = 12; chronic kidney disease stage 3b-4, n = 12; healthy controls, n = 6). All calcific uremic arteriolopathy patients had end-stage kidney disease. Cutaneous vascular calcifications were not present in any of the non-lesional skin punch biopsies. Breast arterial calcification was demonstrated in patients with calcific uremic arteriolopathy (75%) and chronic kidney disease (end-stage 67% and stage 3b-4 25%, respectively), but in none of the controls. All chronic kidney disease patients had systemic calcification on lumbar X-ray (median score 21, 22, and 15 in patients with calcific uremic arteriolopathy, end-stage kidney disease and chronic kidney disease stage 3b-4). The serum calcification propensity was significantly different between groups.

DISCUSSION

Despite a high burden of systemic vascular calcification, cutaneous calcium deposits in non-lesional tissue could not be demonstrated histopathologically in patients with chronic kidney disease (with or without current or previous calcific uremic arteriolopathy). Further studies to determine whether these findings are representative or attributed to other factors are warranted.

Calciphylaxis and its co-occurrence with connective tissue diseases

Calciphylaxis, also known as calcific uremic arteriopathy, is a rare calcification syndrome that presents as ischemic skin necrosis and severe pain. It has a high mortality rate and is characterised by calcification of the small and medium arteries and micro-thrombosis. Calciphylaxis mainly occurs in patients with end-stage renal disease. In recent years, there have been an increasing number of cases of calciphylaxis associated with connective tissue diseases. Given the absence of clear diagnostic criteria for calciphylaxis thus far, an early diagnosis is crucial for designing an effective multidisciplinary treatment plan. In this article, we review the research progress on calciphylaxis and describe its characteristics in the context of connective tissue diseases.

An Intensive Multidisciplinary Approach in Management of Extensive Nonuremic Calciphylaxis of the Bilateral Lower Extremities with Angioinvasive Fungus and Mold

Management of infected wounds related to calciphylaxis poses a significant clinical challenge with high morbidity and mortality. Given no definitive management guidelines exist specific to nonuremic calciphylaxis, multiple modalities including sodium thiosulfate, antibiotics, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and surgical debridement with wound care must be considered. When occurring over a large surface area, standard daily dressing changes are especially labor intensive, inefficient, and ineffective. Negative pressure wound therapy with instillation and dwell time offers broad wound coverage with ongoing therapeutic benefit. We present the case of a previously healthy 19-year-old woman who was transferred for tertiary level care of extensive nonuremic calciphylaxis wounds of the bilateral lower extremities complicated by angioinvasive coinfection with fungus and mold that was managed with a multidisciplinary approach of intensive medical management, aggressive surgical debridement, and negative pressure wound therapy with instillation of hypochlorous acid solution. Ultimately, she achieved full granulation and wound coverage with skin grafting. Large area, infected wounds related to nonuremic calciphylaxis can be successfully managed with multidisciplinary medical management, aggressive surgical debridement, and negative pressure wound therapy that can instill and dwell hypochlorous acid solution.

Use of the optimized sodium thiosulfate regimen for the treatment of calciphylaxis in Chinese patients

BACKGROUND

Sodium thiosulfate (STS) can be used to treat patients diagnosed with calciphylaxis, which is a rare life-threatening syndrome. However, our patients treated with the recommended STS regimen presented with serious adverse events, resulting in treatment withdrawal. Then an optimized STS regimen was used to increase the tolerance of patients to STS and improve treatment continuation. The curative effect of the new regimen is not yet definite. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the response to the use of the optimized STS regimen for the treatment of calciphylaxis in Chinese patients during the first three courses of treatment.

METHODS

Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were retrospectively collected on 31 calciphylaxis patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) or end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) treated with the optimized STS regimen. The primary outcome was a clinical improvement. The secondary outcomes included survival rate and adverse events.

RESULTS

Twenty-five patients (over 80%) achieved clinical improvement considering improvement or nonspecific changes of skin lesions (80.65%) and pain relief (100%). Furthermore, 54.84% of patients did not experience any adverse events and none died from complications. During a median follow-up of 9 months (interquartile range 4‒19), 27 patients (87.10%) survived; additionally, 13 patients (41.94%) survived after a one-year follow-up period.

CONCLUSION

The optimized STS regimen is relatively safe, associated with satisfactory outcomes, and well tolerated by patients for short to medium treatment duration. Hence, it is a promising approach for the treatment of patients diagnosed with calciphylaxis.

Manifestation of Nonuremic Calciphylaxis in the Extremities: Case Report and Review

Nonuremic calciphylaxis is a rare condition presenting with peripheral ischemic ulcerations. Calciphylaxis is the deposition of calcium and phosphate into arteriolar walls caused by exceeding their solubility range in the blood. It is most commonly seen in patients with end-stage renal disease; however, nonuremic calciphylaxis occurs in patients with normal or mildly impaired renal function. Risk factors for nonuremic calciphylaxis include Coumadin therapy, obesity, and diabetes mellitus. Histopathologic examination of deep skin biopsy containing subcutaneous adipose tissue reveals medial calcification of dermal and subcutaneous arterioles. This diagnosis must be managed locally with wound care and systemically by control of blood calcium solubility. Avoidance of infection is critical to survival. Here we report a case of calciphylaxis in a patient with normal renal function and serum levels of calcium and phosphorus who presented with gangrene of the extremities. Increased awareness of this debilitating disease will lead to earlier diagnosis, proper treatment and improved patient outcomes.

Calciphylaxis: Part I. Diagnosis and pathology

Calciphylaxis is an uncommon but devastating disorder characterized by vascular calcification and subsequent cutaneous tissue necrosis. This results in exquisitely painful and slow healing wounds that portend exceptionally high morbidity and mortality. The diagnosis of this condition can be complicated because there are no conclusive serologic, radiographic or visual signs that this disease is manifesting. The differential of tissue necrosis is broad, and identifying calciphylaxis requires an adroit understanding of the risk factors and physical signs that should raise suspicion of this condition. Reviews on this subject are uncommon and lack directed commentary from disease experts on the best diagnostic approach for patients suffering from this disease. The goal of this article is to update practicing dermatologists on the current standard of care for calciphylaxis.

Cutaneous vascular calcification. Peri-eccrine calcification as a diagnostic key for calciphylaxis

BACKGROUND

Attempts have been made to establish discriminative criteria between classic calciphylaxis (CPX) and those cases in which cutaneous vascular calcification (CVC) represents an incidental finding (epiphenomenon).

METHODS

Retrospective, observational cohort study of patients with CVC with the aim of distinguishing clinicopathological features between CVC as classic CPX (CVC in cutaneous lesions with erythemato-violaceous plaques with or without ulceration) or as epiphenomenon (CVC in cutaneous lesions with known diagnosis). Different clinicopathological parameters and presence of perieccrine calcification and pseudoxanthoma-elasticum (PXE)-like changes were evaluated.

RESULTS

Sixty-six patients were studied. The CPX group showed a significantly higher percentage of renal failure, hypertension, altered laboratory parameters, painful lesions and mortality rate. Histopathologically, the CPX group was associated with more than one vessel per field involved with subintimal concentric calcification and perieccrine calcification (observed exclusively in CPX group), while PXE changes, although more frequent in the CPX group, were also observed in the epiphenomenon group.

CONCLUSIONS

Perieccrine calcification and the presence of more than one vessel per field involved by concentric pattern calcification could be used as a diagnostic marker of CPX. Although PXE-like changes are not an exclusive marker, they could suggest CPX diagnosis. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Calciphylaxis in uraemic and nonuraemic settings: clinical risk factors and histopathological findings

BACKGROUND

Calciphylaxis is a life-threatening cutaneous ulcerative/necrotic disease characterized by vascular calcification/occlusion. It occurs most commonly in end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), known as uraemic calciphylaxis (UC) but can also occur in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and normal kidney function (nonuraemic calciphylaxis; NUC). There are few large series of NUC in the literature.

AIM

To compare the clinicopathological features of UC and NUC.

METHODS

We retrospectively compared the clinicopathological features of 35 patients with NUC during the period 2010-2020 with those of 53 patients with UC (control group). Cases were classified as NUC in the absence of all of the following: ESKD, significant CKD (defined as serum creatinine > 3 mg/dL or creatinine clearance < 15 mL/min) and acute kidney injury requiring kidney replacement therapy or kidney transplantation.

RESULTS

NUC represented 40% of the total cases, and there was a higher number of women (P < 0.01) and a higher median body mass index (P = 0.06) compared with the control UC group. Elevated parathyroid hormone was present in 44% of patients with NUC. Most of the tested patients were positive for lupus anticoagulants (56%). NUC biopsies showed a higher rate of extravascular calcium deposits (73% vs. 47%, P = 0.03). Dermal reactive vascular proliferation was the most common dermal change (32%).

CONCLUSIONS

NUC is more common than previously reported and shows a higher predilection for obese postmenopausal women. Undiagnosed hyperparathyroidism shows a possible association with NUC. Lupus anticoagulants were positive in most patients. NUC biopsies are more likely than UC biopsies to display extravascular calcium deposition.

The Spectrum of Cutaneous Reactive Angiomatoses in End Stage Renal Failure

ABSTRACT

Cutaneous reactive angiomatoses encompass a spectrum of conditions driven by underlying occlusive vasculopathy. We present 2 cases of reactive angioproliferation in the context of end-stage renal failure (ESRF) manifesting as painful cutaneous ulceration. The first case demonstrates histologic features of diffuse dermal angiomatosis. The second case illustrates a nonspecific pattern of vascular proliferation which does not conform to any of the classically described subtypes, therefore reinforcing the concept of a spectrum of histopathologic changes in reactive angioproliferations. Diffuse dermal angiomatosis has been described in ESRF alone and in association with calciphylaxis, a life-threatening condition. Recognizing the patterns of reactive angioproliferation in the context of ESRF therefore has clinical relevance. Earlier identification may facilitate mitigation of risk factors and improve prognosis.

Isolated Penile Calciphylaxis Diagnosed by Ultrasound Imaging in a New Dialysis Patient: A Case Report

RATIONALE

The recognition of calciphylaxis often eludes practitioners because of its multiple ambiguous presentations. It classically targets areas of the body dense with adipose tissue. A heightened suspicion for the disorder is therefore required in the case of penile calciphylaxis, given its unconventional location. The diagnosis of calciphylaxis is also challenging as the gold standard for diagnosis is biopsy which can often yield equivocal results. Unfortunately, in penile calciphylaxis, the utility of biopsies is further debated due to their potential to precipitate new lesions and their decreased sensitivity due to the limited depth of tissue that can be sampled. For these reasons, it is important that practitioners recognize other accessible and accurate investigative tools which can aid in their diagnosis.

PRESENTING CONCERNS OF THE PATIENT

We present the case of a 49-year-old man who presented to the emergency room with penile pain in the context of known chronic kidney disease secondary to diabetic nephropathy. The pain had been present for about a week, was exquisitely tender, and was initially associated with a faint violaceous lesion. This gentleman had just recently initiated peritoneal dialysis and had no other lesions on his body.

DIAGNOSIS

His pain was determined by ultrasound and plain radiograph to be secondary to calciphylaxis after two biopsies were nondiagnostic.

INTERVENTIONS

The patient had already made changes to his diet to reduce phosphate and calcium intake, and had been on phosphate-lowering therapy with both calcium and phosphate being within their respective target range. Following his diagnosis, this patient was promptly converted from peritoneal dialysis to hemodialysis with sodium thiosulphate and initiated hyperbaric oxygen therapy. This patient continues to be followed by nephrology and urology specialists.

Palliative care utilization in calciphylaxis: a single-center retrospective review of 121 patients (1999-2016)

BACKGROUND

Calciphylaxis is a debilitating dermatological condition associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Palliative care offers a multidisciplinary approach to addressing symptoms and goals of care in patients with serious medical diagnoses. Involvement of palliative services for calciphylaxis is infrequently reported in the literature. The purpose of this report is to assess rates of palliative and pain consultation for patients with calciphylaxis.

METHODS

This is a comprehensive, single-institution retrospective chart review of 121 eligible patients with a diagnosis of calciphylaxis treated at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, from 1999 to 2016. Inclusion criteria were an indisputable diagnosis of calciphylaxis based on clinical, histopathologic, and radiographic features. One hundred twenty-one patients met inclusion criteria.

RESULTS

Fifty-one patients (42%) received either a palliative (n = 15) or pain (n = 20) consultation, or both (n = 16). Patients with a palliative care consultation were younger compared with those without (mean ages 57 vs. 62 years, P = 0.046). In 104 patients (86%), psychiatric symptoms were not assessed.

CONCLUSIONS

In this cohort of patients with calciphylaxis, the majority do not receive palliative and pain care consultations. Psychiatric complications are inconsistently addressed. These observations highlight practice gaps in the care of patients with calciphylaxis.

Diagnosing Calciphylaxis: A Review With Emphasis on Histopathology

Calciphylaxis is a cutaneous vasculopathy with high morbidity and mortality characterized by vascular intimal fibrosis, calcification, stenosis, thrombosis, and eventual tissue death due to ischemia. Histopathologic diagnosis is often difficult, frequently necessitating multiple tissues samples due to lack of specific histopathologic features and subtle changes on biopsies of early lesions. In this study, we review the reported clinical and histopathologic features of calciphylaxis, correlating them with relevant imaging, ancillary studies, and pathophysiology. Although many histopathologic changes seen in calciphylaxis are also reported in other conditions (eg, Mönckeberg sclerosis, lupus panniculitis, pancreatic panniculitis, and peripheral artery disease), calcification of subcutaneous small vessels, thrombosis and/or ischemic changes, pseudoxanthoma elasticum-like changes in the subcutis, and perieccrine calcification may serve as helpful clues. von Kossa and Alizarin red stains can assist in the identification of subtle calcification. Netlike calcification of the affected blood vessels on imaging further supports the diagnosis. Studies into the pathophysiology of calciphylaxis are ongoing and will hopefully facilitate the development of additional diagnostic adjuncts to increase sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of this disease.

Calciphylaxis-Associated Cutaneous Vascular Calcification in Noncalciphylaxis Patients

Calciphylaxis is a highly morbid disease that is strongly associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD); however, the histologic criteria for diagnosis have not been well established nor have their specificity for calciphylaxis been determined. This retrospective study aimed to examine the prevalence of histologic features commonly associated with calciphylaxis in noncalciphylaxis patients. We also sought to evaluate whether these features may be more prevalent in patients with CKD. To assess this, healthy marginal skin tissue from above-the-knee amputation specimens was compared between patients with CKD (n = 23) and without CKD (n = 47). Intravascular calcification of capillaries or small-to-medium arterioles was detected on von Kossa stain in 40.0% of the entire cohort. Capillary calcification and intravascular thrombosis were more prevalent in patients with CKD. Finely stippled capillary calcification was present in 26.1% of patients with CKD versus 8.5% of patients without CKD (P = 0.0484), and intravascular thrombosis was present in 8.7% of patients with CKD and 0.0% of patients without CKD (P = 0.0403). None of the patients in this study had clinical evidence of calciphylaxis at presentation and in at least a 1-year follow-up period. This study confirms that the histologic features previously associated with calciphylaxis are nonspecific and are more prevalent in patients with CKD.

Early onset calciphylaxis following acute kidney injury secondary to anti-glomerular basement membrane antibody disease

Calciphylaxis is commonly associated with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and renal transplant. We present a rare case of early onset calciphylaxis in a patient presenting with acute kidney injury (AKI) secondary to anti-glomerular basement membrane (anti-GBM) antibody disease. A 65-year-old obese Caucasian woman with type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension presented with a 1-month history of painless gross haematuria and worsening lower extremity oedema. Laboratory results indicated AKI and nephrotic-range proteinuria. Anti-glomerular antibodies were elevated. Renal biopsy revealed focal crescentic glomerulonephritis with linear capillary immunoglobulin G staining consistent with anti-GBM antibody disease. She was treated with haemodialysis, plasmapheresis, steroids, bumetanide and cyclophosphamide. Two months later, she developed necrotic lesions on bilateral thighs. Wound biopsy was consistent with calciphylaxis. This case highlights that calciphylaxis, usually seen in patients with chronic kidney disease or ESRD, can manifest in patients with AKI as well.

Multiple extremity necrosis in fatal calciphylaxis: Case report

INTRODUCTION

The clinical impact of vascular calcification is well established in the context of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, but other clinical syndromes, such as calciphylaxis, although less frequent, have a significant impact on chronic kidney disease.

METHODS

Case report of a 27-year-old woman, who had complained of bilateral pain in her toes for 3 days, with the presence of small necrotic areas in the referred sites. She had a history of type 1 diabetes (25 years ago), with chronic kidney disease, on peritoneal dialysis, in addition to rheumatoid arthritis. She was admitted to the hospital, which preceded the current condition, due to exacerbation of rheumatoid arthritis, evolving with intracardiac thrombus due to venous catheter complications, when she started using warfarin. Ischemia progressed to her feet, causing the need for bilateral amputations. Her chirodactyls were also affected. Thrombophilia, vasculitis, endocarditis or other embolic sources were investigated and discarded. Her pathology report evidenced skin necrosis and superficial soft parts with recent arterial thrombosis, and Monckeberg's medial calcification. We started treatment with bisphosphonate and sodium thiosulfate, conversion to hemodialysis and replacement of warfarin with unfractionated heparin. Despite all the therapy, the patient died after four months of evolution.

DISCUSSION

Calciphylaxis is a rare microvasculature calcification syndrome that results in severe ischemic injuries. It has pathogenesis related to the mineral and bone disorder of chronic kidney disease combined with the imbalance between promoters and inhibitors of vascular calcification, with particular importance to vitamin K antagonism.

CONCLUSION

The preventive strategy is fundamental, since the therapy is complex with poorly validated effectiveness.

Use of cryopreserved human amniotic membrane in the treatment of skin ulcers secondary to calciphylaxis

Calciphylaxis is a rare condition characterized by skin ulceration and necrosis as a result of vascular calcification of the small and medium blood vessels of skin and subcutaneous tissues. It mainly occurs in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease and sometimes leads to complications with a fatal outcome. In this report, we describe the case of a 67-year-old male patient with end stage renal disease presenting painful skin ulcers on his lower limbs. The lesions had progressively grown and were associated to severe pain and decreased quality of life. The ulcers did not respond to conventional treatments and the patient underwent skin biopsy of these lesions obtaining anatomopathological findings compatible with calciphylaxis. In this report, we present an innovative treatment for skin ulcers secondary to calciphylaxis using cryopreserved amniotic membrane (AM) as a dressing in order to promote epithelialization of the wounds. After four applications, healing of the main ulcer and reduction in pain was achieved. In summary, applying cryopreserved AM probed to be a promising strategy to reduce pain and to enhance epithelialization and healing of chronic non-responsive ulcers in calciphylaxis.

Topical cannabis-based medicines - A novel paradigm and treatment for non-uremic calciphylaxis leg ulcers: An open label trial

Non-Uremic Calciphylaxis (NUC) is a rare condition that often manifests as intractable and painful integumentary wounds, afflicting patients with a high burden of co-morbidity. The Endocannabinoid System (ECS) is a ubiquitous signalling system that is theorised to be dysregulated within wound beds and associated peri-wound tissues. Preclinical research has shown that the dominant chemical classes derived from the cannabis plant, cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids, interact with the integumentary ECS to promote wound closure and analgesia. This is a prospective open label cohort study involving two elderly Caucasian females with recalcitrant NUC leg ulcers of greater than 6 months duration. Topical Cannabis-Based Medicines (TCBM) composed of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids were applied daily to both the wound bed and peri-wound tissues until complete wound closure was achieved. Wounds were photographed regularly, and the digital images were subjected to planimetric analysis to objectively quantify the degree of granulation and epithelization. Analgesic utilisation, as a surrogate/proxy for pain scores, was also tracked. The cohort had a mean M3 multimorbidity index score of 3.31. Complete wound closure was achieved in a mean of 76.3 days. Additionally, no analgesics were required after a mean of 63 days. The treatments were well tolerated with no adverse reactions. The positive results demonstrated in very challenging wounds such as NUC, among highly complex patients, suggest that TCBM may have an even broader role within integumentary and wound management. This treatment paradigm warrants being trialled in other wound types and classes, and ultimately should be subjected to randomised controlled trials.

Localization, Morphologic Features, and Chemical Composition of Calciphylaxis-Related Skin Deposits in Patients With Calcific Uremic Arteriolopathy

Importance

Calcific uremic arteriolopathy (CUA), a rare, potentially fatal, disease with calcium deposits in skin, mostly affects patients with end-stage renal disease who are receiving dialysis. Chemical composition and structure of CUA calcifications have been poorly described.

Objectives

To describe the localization and morphologic features and determine the precise chemical composition of CUA-related calcium deposits in skin, and identify any mortality-associated factors.

Design, Setting, and Participants

A retrospective, multicenter cohort study was conducted at 7 French hospitals including consecutive adults diagnosed with CUA between January 1, 2006, and January 1, 2017, confirmed according to Hayashi clinical and histologic criteria. Patients with normal renal function were excluded. For comparison, 5 skin samples from patients with arteriolosclerosis and 5 others from the negative margins of skin-carcinoma resection specimens were also analyzed.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Localization and morphologic features of the CUA-related cutaneous calcium deposits were assessed with optical microscopy and field-emission-scanning electron microscopy, and the chemical compositions of those deposits were evaluated with μ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and energy dispersive radiographs.

Results

Thirty-six patients (median [range] age, 64 [33-89] years; 26 [72%] female) were included, and 29 cutaneous biopsies were analyzed. Calcific uremic arteriolopathy and arteriolosclerosis skin calcifications were composed of pure calcium-phosphate apatite. Calcific uremic arteriolopathy vascular calcifications were always circumferential, found in small to medium-sized vessels, with interstitial deposits in 22 (76%) of the samples. A thrombosis, most often in noncalcified capillary lumens in the superficial dermis, was seen in 5 samples from patients with CUA. Except for calcium deposits, the vessel structure of patients with CUA appeared normal, unlike thickened arteriolosclerotic vessel walls. Twelve (33%) patients died of CUA.

Conclusions and Relevance

Calcific uremic arteriolopathy-related skin calcifications were exclusively composed of pure calcium-phosphate apatite, localized circumferentially in small to medium-sized vessels and often associated with interstitial deposits, suggesting its pathogenesis differs from that of arteriolosclerosis. Although the chemical compositions of CUA and arteriolosclerosis calcifications were similar, the vessels' appearances and deposit localizations differed, suggesting different pathogenetic mechanisms.

A detailed analysis of the distribution, morphology, and histopathology of complex purpura in hospitalized patients: A case series of 68 patients

BACKGROUND

Purpura in inpatients commonly leads to dermatologic consultation. The differential diagnosis is broad and algorithms are intricate.

OBJECTIVE

We evaluated inpatient consultations for complex purpura to document the most common diagnoses and to validate the true diagnostic utility of histopathology, clinical morphology, and distribution.

METHODS

We reviewed a case series of 68 inpatients during a 4-year period with a dermatologic consultation for purpura and biopsy findings of vasculitis or microvascular occlusion.

RESULTS

Key features of complex purpura are nonbranching (round) versus branching (retiform) morphology, dependent versus acral or generalized distribution, and leukocytoclastic vasculitis versus microvascular occlusion (with emphasis on depth of involvement). Dependent nonbranching purpura with only superficial vessels involved by leukocytoclastic vasculitis was most often due to IgA vasculitis or cutaneous single-organ small-vessel vasculitis. In contrast, deeper involvement by leukocytoclastic vasculitis was suggestive of systemic disease (eg, antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis). Branching purpura was concerning, with greater than 90% sensitivity and specificity for microvascular occlusion and associated high mortality (≈50%). The majority of patients who died had acral branching lesions.

LIMITATIONS

Small sample size, inpatients at a tertiary care center, and retrospective nature are some limitations.

CONCLUSION

Nonbranching dependent purpura corresponded to leukocytoclastic vasculitis, with the most common diagnoses being IgA vasculitis or skin-limited small-vessel vasculitis; patients with deep involvement often had systemic diseases. In this series, branching purpura was due to microvascular occlusion rather than medium-vessel vasculitis, and had associated high mortality.

Clinicopathologic Features and Calcium Deposition Patterns in Calciphylaxis: Comparison With Gangrene, Peripheral Artery Disease, Chronic Stasis, and Thrombotic Vasculopathy

Diagnosis of calciphylaxis is crucial, yet its distinction from other vascular diseases can be challenging. Although vascular calcification and thrombosis are hallmarks of calciphylaxis, the incidence and patterns of these features in other vascular diseases have not been well characterized. The specificity of fine calcium deposits in vessel walls (identifiable on von Kossa [VK] stain only) and other extravascular calcifications is not entirely clear. We retrospectively examined the clinicopathologic features in calciphylaxis (n=27), gangrene and viable skin at amputation margin (n=20 each), chronic stasis (n=22), and thrombotic vasculopathy (n=19) to identify useful discriminators. Calcification of subcutaneous small vessels appreciable on hematoxylin and eosin stain was relatively specific for calciphylaxis, although sensitivity was low (56%). VK detected fine calcium deposits in vessel walls not appreciable on hematoxylin and eosin, however, specificity was limited by frequent finding of similar deposits in peripheral artery disease. Combining calcium deposits detected by VK and thrombosis of subcutaneous small vessels resulted in optimal sensitivity (85%) and specificity (88%) for calciphylaxis. Similar observations applied to medium-sized vessel calcification. Calcification of eccrine gland basement membranes, elastic fibers, and perineurium did not effectively distinguish calciphylaxis from other groups. Diffuse dermal angiomatosis was exclusively found in calciphylaxis in this study. In conclusion, VK is useful in enhancing the detection of vascular calcification and avoiding the false-negative diagnosis, but this finding requires concomitant subcutaneous small vessel thrombosis to support a diagnosis of calciphylaxis. Diffuse dermal angiomatosis should increase suspicion for underlying calciphylaxis and prompt deeper sampling in the appropriate clinical setting.

Calciphylaxis epidemiology, risk factors, treatment and survival among French chronic kidney disease patients: a case-control study

Background

Calcific Uremic Arteriolopathy (CUA) is a rare disease, causing painful skin ulcers in patients with end stage renal disease. Recommendations for CUA management and treatment are lacking.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study on CUA cases identified in western France, in order to describe its management and outcome in average clinical practices. Selection was based on the Hayashi diagnosis criteria (2013) extended to patients with eGFR < 30 mL/min/1.73m². Dialyzed CUA cases were compared with 2 controls, matched for age, gender, region of treatment and time period.

Results

Eighty-nine CUA cases were identified between 2006 and 2016, including 19 non dialyzed and 70 dialyzed patients. Females with obesity (55.1%) were predominant. Bone mineral disease abnormalities, inflammation and malnutrition (weight loss, serum albumin decrease) preceded CUA onset for 6 months. The multimodal treatment strategy included wound care (98.9%), antibiotherapy (77.5%), discontinuation of Vitamin K antagonists (VKA) (70.8%) and intravenous sodium thiosulfate (65.2%). 40.4% of the patients died within the year after lesion onset, mainly under palliative care. Surgical debridement, distal CUA, localization to the lower limbs and non calcium-based phosphate binders were associated with better survival. Risks factors of developing CUA among dialysis patients were obesity, VKA, weight loss, serum albumin decrease or high serum phosphate in the 6 months before lesion onset.

Conclusion

CUA involved mainly obese patients under VKA. Malnutrition and inflammation preceded the onset of skin lesions and could be warning signs among dialysis patients at risk.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02854046, registered August 3, 2016.

Common and critical inflammatory dermatoses every pathologist should know

Inflammatory dermatopathology remains a challenging area for surgical pathologists. Yet every surgical pathologist encounters inflammatory dermatoses as part of routine practice. This review will focus on selected diagnoses that are either commonly encountered in the routine practice of surgical pathology or are critically important. The following entities will be covered: spongiotic dermatoses, lichen simplex chronicus, and early lichen sclerosus in the setting of vulvar biopsies, as well as graft versus host disease, Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis, granuloma anulare, pyoderma gangrenosum, and calciphylaxis. Practical points and key histologic features will be emphasized.

Calciphylaxis: Approach to Diagnosis and Management

Calciphylaxis is a rare disorder of poor prognosis that can lead to intense, painful lesions involving the skin and subcutaneous tissue. Although mostly described in dialysis patients, it can affect patients with normal kidney function. The diagnosis of calciphylaxis is complicated by the absence of a gold standard marker of disease such as a clear histopathological finding. Late diagnosis and advanced lesions can significantly shorten life expectancy. Calciphylaxis wounds can have a major influence on the quality of life of patients, usually due to the immense unbearable pain these patients suffer from. The management of calciphylaxis mainly comprises aggressive wound care and symptomatic management. Therapeutic options are few and far between and are limited to off-label uses. Recent understanding of the pathogenesis of lesions has enabled development of novel therapeutic options, some of which are being studied in clinical trials (sodium thiosulfate, vitamin K). Vascular calcification and thrombosis underlie development of these lesions and research has been aimed at studying drugs that counteract such processes. Future research is required to establish clear causal pathways and improve on the treatment options currently available to patients.

Gastrointestinal Manifestations in a Patient with Calciphylaxis: A Case Report

Calciphylaxis is a rare condition usually seen in patients with significant renal disease, affecting 1-4' of patients undergoing haemodialysis. Although the disease usually manifests as lesions in the subcutaneous tissue, there have been rare occurrences of calciphylaxis presenting as lesions in the gastrointestinal tract, leading to complications of bowel necrosis and haemorrhage. In view of this, we report the case of suspected gastrointestinal tract calciphylaxis in a 63-year-old patient with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) who presented with painful swelling in the medial and lateral aspect of both thighs. Physical examination revealed extensive tender subcutaneous tissue nodules suggestive of calciphylaxis. During her hospital admission, the patient developed an episode of gastrointestinal bleeding requiring multiple blood transfusions. A computed tomography scan of the abdomen showed widespread vascular calcification within the aorta and its somatic and visceral branches as well as a splenic infarct. Oesophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed a large gastric ulcer, while flexible sigmoidoscopy revealed necrosis of the rectal mucosa. She was started on vitamin D supplementation and intravenous sodium thiosulphate during each dialysis session. She clinically improved with no further gastrointestinal haemorrhage and partial resolution of her rectal necrosis and was transferred to a rehabilitation facility for further care and discharge planning.

Correlation between clinical and pathological features of cutaneous calciphylaxis

Calciphylaxis is a rare and life-threatening disease that classically manifests with painful skin lesions. It occurs mainly in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) treated with dialysis, has poor outcomes, and has no FDA-approved treatment. Our cohort study aims to examine the clinical and pathological features of calciphylaxis and investigates the correlation between cutaneous clinical manifestations and histopathological findings. Data from 70 calciphylaxis patients who were evaluated at the Massachusetts General Hospital between January 2014 and April 2018 were collected from the institutional electronic database. The median age was 58 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 49–69 years), 60% were women, and 73% were of white race. Most (74%) patients reported severe pain at the time of calciphylaxis diagnosis with a median pain intensity score of 8/10 (IQR: 6–10) on a 0–10 pain scale. The median time from symptom onset to clinical diagnosis was 9 weeks (IQR: 6–16 weeks). The majority (87%) of patients presented with open necrotic wounds (advanced stage lesion) at the time of diagnosis. Common cutaneous clinical features included ulceration (79%), induration (57%), and erythema (41%), while common pathological features included cutaneous microvascular calcification (86%) and necrosis (73%). The presence of fibrin thrombi in skin biopsies was associated with pain severity (p = 0.04). The stage of a skin lesion positively correlated with the presence of necrosis on histological analyses (p = 0.02). These findings have implications for improving understanding of calciphylaxis origins and for developing novel treatments.

[What's new in clinical dermatology?]

In this article, we performed a review of all new data of clinical relevance for the dermatologists that were published in the medical literature between September, 2017 and September, 2018. Besides advances that will be useful in day-to-day dermatological practice, we intended to give a more general perspective to this review by taking into account certain international health issues that might in final concern each of us in a globalized world. Focus were more particularly done on the following topics: infectious diseases (including sexually transmitted infections), neglected tropical diseases, adverse effects of drugs, bullous diseases, allergology, wound healing, dermatology on black skin, and public health dermatology.

Dermatologic Urgencies and Emergencies: What Every Pathologist Should Know

CONTEXT.—

Fatal dermatologic diseases and ones with high morbidity can occur in the inpatient setting. In such cases, prompt and accurate assessment of a bedside skin biopsy is required. This may be challenging for many pathologists who are not familiar with the complexity of skin pathology and skin terminology within the fields of dermatopathology and dermatology.

OBJECTIVE.—

To provide the pathologist with a practical, up-to-date, and "must-know" reference guide on dermatologic urgencies and emergencies from a real-world perspective, highlighting diagnostic pearls, diagnostic pitfalls, and commonly encountered practice gaps. This review will focus on key diseases with which every pathologist should be familiar, including angioinvasive fungal infections, Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis, staph-scalded-skin syndrome, acute graft-versus-host disease, bullous pemphigoid, calciphylaxis, Sweet syndrome and its histiocytoid variant, pyoderma gangrenosum, and leukocytoclastic vasculitis, as well as those in their clinical and histopathologic differential.

DATA SOURCES.—

This review is based on peer-reviewed literature and our personal experiences with these diseases at major academic institutions, including one where a large number of stem cell transplants are performed. This review is unique as it represents collaborative expert opinion from both a dermatopathology and a dermatology standpoint.

CONCLUSIONS.—

This review outlines the critical role that the pathologist plays in the outcomes of patients with dermatologic urgencies and emergencies. Improved patient care will result from prompt and accurate histopathologic diagnoses as well as an open line of communication with the dermatologist.

Non-uremic calciphylaxis associated with alcoholic hepatitis: A case report

BACKGROUND

Calciphylaxis is a form of vascular calcification more commonly associated with renal disease. While the exact mechanism of calciphylaxis is poorly understood, most cases are due to end stage kidney disease. However, it can also be found in patients without kidney disease and in such cases is termed non-uremic calciphylaxis for which have multiple proposed etiologies.

CASE SUMMARY

We describe a case of a thirty-year-old morbidly obese Caucasian female who had a positive history of alcoholic hepatitis and presented with painful calciphylaxis wounds of the abdomen, hips, and thighs. The hypercoagulability panel showed low levels of Protein C and normal Protein S, low Antithrombin III and positive lupus anticoagulant and negative anticardiolipin. Wound biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of non-uremic calciphylaxis in the setting of alcoholic liver disease. The calciphylaxis wounds did not improve when Sodium Thiosulfate was used alone. The patient underwent a series of bedside and surgical debridement. Broad spectrum antibiotics were also used for secondary wound bacterial infections. The patient passed away shortly after due to sepsis and multiorgan failure.

CONCLUSION

Non-uremic Calciphylaxis can occur in the setting of alcoholic liver disease. The treatment of choice is still unknown.

Review: update on the management of calciphylaxis

Calciphylaxis is a disease of significant morbidity and mortality, predominantly affecting dialysis patients. The term 'calciphylaxis' was coined by Seyle et al. in 1961 to describe calcium deposition in the skin and subcutaneous soft tissue of uremic rats in response to 'triggers' (e.g. trauma, metallic salts) after exposure to 'sensitizing agents' (e.g. vitamin D and parathyroid hormone). In humans, calciphylaxis, however, is not a disorder of induced hypersensitivity. Instead, it is a disorder of cutaneous microvascular occlusion caused by thrombosis and calcification. Progressive, excruciatingly painful, non-healing wounds develop in these patients, pre-disposing them to high risk of sepsis and death. Calciphylaxis has no approved therapies. Increased awareness and research in this field have facilitated identification of risk factors and causation pathways. Development of therapeutic options and wound care management, however, are still at a nascent stage. Certain therapies have shown a promise that needs evaluation in prospective clinical trials. It is hoped that ongoing research will help us better understand the pathogenesis of this complex disease and develop efficacious treatment options. In this review, we outline the components involved in calciphylaxis diagnosis and treatment.

What's New in Dermatopathology: Inflammatory Dermatoses

Inflammatory skin diseases encompass a vast array of conditions. The field continues to expand and evolve with resurgence of conditions, through newly recognized medication adverse effects, and via more detailed descriptions of known dermatoses. The importance of clinicopathologic correlation and an up to date knowledge of dermatologic conditions cannot be overstated. This review focuses on an array of recent important developments in the histologic diagnosis of inflammatory conditions that affect the skin.

Non-uraemic calciphylaxis (NUC) postliver transplantation

Calciphylaxis is a rare and life-threatening disease characterized by cutaneous arteriolar stenosis and vascular thrombosis leading to skin ischaemia and necrosis. While calciphylaxis occurs mostly in patients with end-stage renal disease, the disorder has been described in patients with normal renal function, namely non-uraemic calciphylaxis (NUC). A 41-year-old African-American woman presented with a painful ulcerative rash on her thighs and right buttock 2 months after undergoing an orthotopic liver transplantation. She underwent debridement of the lesions and an excisional biopsy of one of the lesions, which revealed calciphylaxis. She was treated with sodium thiosulfate, cinacalcet and hyperbaric oxygen with complete resolution of the lesions 4-5 months after presentation. While she was treated with a course of high-dose glucocorticoids after the transplant, she did not have other risk factors for calciphylaxis. NUC should be considered in the differential diagnosis of necrotic skin lesions in postliver transplant patients.

Digital gangrene and pneumatosis intestinalis associated with calciphylaxis

Reports of calciphylaxis or calcific uremic arteriolopathy associated with acral and gastrointestinal involvement are rare. We describe a 36-year-old white woman with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis after failed kidney and pancreas transplantation who developed dry gangrene of bilateral digits, osteomyelitis, and small bowel ischemia within several months of each presentation. She had multiple débridements of a septic right ankle. Computed tomography angiography showed severe vascular calcification and pneumatosis intestinalis. She underwent intestinal resection for gangrenous small bowel. A multidisciplinary approach with aggressive medical and surgical management may improve survival. Our case and the literature confirm the high morbidity of patients with calciphylaxis and vascular complications. Careful follow-up remains necessary for diagnosis and management to prevent complication, infection, and death.

Evaluating the validity of subclassifying warfarin-associated nonuremic calciphylaxis: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Calciphylaxis is a devastating multifactorial disorder of the subcutaneous fat that is known to be associated with hypercoagulability. Recent literature has proposed subclassifying patients with calciphylaxis as having warfarin-associated or warfarin-unassociated disease.

AIM

We aimed to determine whether patients with warfarin-associated calciphylaxis differ clinically from patients with warfarin-unassociated calciphylaxis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed a subgroup analysis of patients with nonuremic calciphylaxis from a previously studied cohort and compared clinical and outcomes features of patients who were taking warfarin at the time of disease onset to those of patients who were not.

RESULTS

Nineteen patients with nonuremic calciphylaxis were identified, including 10 (53%) who had been on warfarin at the time of disease onset and 9 (47%) who had not. Of all clinical and outcomes parameters tested, no significant differences were detected between the two groups.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

Though this study is limited by its retrospective nature and the relatively small number of patients studied, available data do not support subclassifying patients with nonuremic calciphylaxis as having warfarin-associated or warfarin-unassociated disease. Rather, the body of literature would suggest that identification and correction of underlying disorders of hypercoagulability should be prioritized.