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Fig. 16.6 Calciphylaxis. Necrosis of overlying skin in a patient with chronic renal failure. |
Calciphylaxis is a type of metastatic calcification in which there is calcification of the walls of small- and medium-sized blood vessels in the dermis and subcutis resulting in infarction of the overlying skin. Clinically, patients develop livedo reticularis–like mottling, painful hard plaques, and necrotic ulcers. It is usually seen in the setting of chronic renal failure and secondary hyperparathyroidism (Fig. 16-6). Calciphylaxis, however, has uncommonly been reported with normal levels of calcium and phosphate and in the absence of renal disease.
Daudén E, Oñate MJ: Calciphylaxis,
Dermatol Clin 26:557–568, 2008.