학술논문

Gastrointestinal Manifestations in a Patient with Calciphylaxis: A Case Report
Case Report
Document Type
Clinical report
Source
Case Reports in Nephrology and Dialysis. May-August 2019, Vol. 9 Issue 2, p119, 7 p.
Subject
Australia
Language
English
Abstract
Introduction Calciphylaxis is a rare thrombotic vasculopathic disease which causes calcification in the microvasculature of adipose and subcutaneous tissues, leading to characteristic purpuric skin lesions in areas such as the [...]
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. Keywords Calciphylaxis * End-stage kidney disease * Rectal necrosis * Gastrointestinal bleeding