Hypercalcemia Induced by Rosai-Dorfman Disease in a Hemodialysis Patient: Histological Evidence of Extrarenal Calcitriol Overproduction

Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD) is a rare disorder characterized by the proliferation of histiocytes in the sinus of the affected lymph nodes, which leads to massive lymphadenopathy. RDD usually presents as an increased inflammatory response and lymph node swelling. We herein report the case of a hemodialysis patient with a fever, hypercalcemia and increased serum calcitriol level who was histologically diagnosed to have RDD. Immunohistochemistry revealed an increased expression of 1α-hydroxylase by histiocytes in the dilated sinus, indicating the extrarenal overproduction of calcitriol. Treatment with oral prednisolone decreased the serum levels of inflammatory markers and calcitriol, normalized the serum calcium level and mitigated the systemic lymph node enlargement.