Intractable wounds caused by calcific uremic arteriolopathy treated with bisphosphonates

Background

Calcific uremic arteriolopathy (calciphylaxis) is a calcification syndrome that predominantly affects relatively small vessels and is a life-threatening entity usually seen in patients with end-stage renal disease. Intractable skin necrosis sometimes causes lethal sepsis because it progresses rapidly as a result of mechanical stress.

Objective

We sought to investigate the efficacy of etidronate disodium (bisphosphonates) in treating intractable ulcers occurred in a patient on hemodialysis accompanied with calcific uremic arteriolopathy.

Methods and Results

A 53-year-old patient receiving hemodialysis with chronic renal failure accompanied with calciphylaxis had bilateral leg ulcers caused by minor trauma. The aggressive debridement worsened his skin condition as is usually seen in pyoderma gangrenosum. It eventually healed by lowering calcium-phosphorus levels with the administration of bisphosphonates and with the continuous use of sevelamer hydrochloride.

Limitations

This study reporting a single case limits the interpretation of results.

Conclusion

Bisphosphonates may be effective in treating calciphylaxis and arteriosclerosis obliterans by reducing the formation of ectopic calcification around blood vessels.