Calciphlaxis is an uncommon diagnosis that causes painful skin lesions anywhere on the body. These types of lesions and / or wounds are usually the result of end stage renal disease. Patients with moderate to severe renal disease can suffer with random calcium deposits in blood vessels limiting blood flow, resulting in painful skin lesions. The open wounds or lesions look similar to bed sores. Although very rare, lesions can occur in other body parts, such as eyes, lungs, brain, muscle and intestines.
Two types of this condition exist:
Uremic – is the more common of the two and happens to people in end stage or severe renal failure (kidney disease).
Non-uremic – is the least common and happens to people in early stages of renal disease with kidney trauma to one or both kidneys.
In most cases the wounds are located on the abdomen or thighs and these patients have a higher mortality rate. However, wounds can appear on lower and upper limbs and sometimes cause limb amputation.
Additional risk factors:
- Kidney disease
- Obesity
- Autoimmune conditions
- Liver disease
- Warfarin medication
- Corticosteroids
Diagnosing Calciphlaxis can be difficult due to lack of research, but tests might include:
- Biopsy of wound edges
- Lab test for kidney function, liver function, calcium, phosphorus, thyroid, vitamin D, immune markers and blood coagulation indicators
- Imaging
Treatment for Calciphlaxis wounds includes wound cleaning, debridement and dressing changes as needed to keep the wounds healthy for healing. Other treatment might include medication to treat bone and blood mineral complication to allow for healing and proper nutrition. Patients with calciphylaxis wounds usually do not have a good survival rate of more that 1 year due to the severe kidney disease and wounds that possibly will develop into sepsis.
Patients, family and physicians can reach our office for appointments at 405-265 2255 and fax 405 265 2215. Our address is 1601 Health Center Parkway Yukon, Oklahoma Bldg 1100. Yukon Wound care and Rehabilitation have easy access off I-40 and located in Stonegate Business edition behind Target and Joe Cooper Ford.
Because of our easy access we treat patients from all over the Oklahoma City and surrounding areas. We are privately owned allowing walk-ins and same day appointments for most all wounds and or urgent needs. We accept all major insurance and cash pay.
References
Calciphylaxis: Causes, symptoms and treatment. (2022, January 31). Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22359-calciphylaxis