Calciphylaxis Without Renal Failure

Khafif et al¹and Selye²describe calciphylaxis as an acute local calcification affecting several organ systems, including the skin, kidney, and, less commonly, the lung, heart, and gastrointestinal tract. Cutaneous lesions characteristically begin as tender, violaceous, livedoid discolorations on the proximal aspect of the extremities and on the lower part of the abdomen. The lesions become indurated plaques and nodules that progress to necrotic deep ulcerations with eschar formation. Microscopic assessment reveals calcium deposition in the small and intermediate dermal vasculature with resultant epidermal ischemia and necrosis. While the pathogenesis is uncertain, the majority of cases of calciphylaxis have occurred in patients with chronic renal failure and secondary hyperparathyroidism. We report on a rare presentation of calciphylaxis in the absence of renal failure. Report of a Case. A 58-year-old white woman with alcoholic cirrhosis was admitted for management of ascites and skin ulcers and evaluation of a hepatic