Penile and digital calciphylaxis: A case report and literature review

Calcific uremic arteriolopathy (CUA) represents a rare but severe disease with high morbimortality. The authors present the case of a 58-year-old male patient with chronic kidney disease due to obstructive uropathy, on hemodialysis (HD). He started HD due to uremic syndrome with a severe renal dysfunction, dysregulation of calcium and phosphate metabolism, and he presented with distal penile ischemia, which was treated with surgical debridement and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Four months later, painful distal digital necrosis of both hands was observed. Extensive arterial calcification was observed on X-ray. A skin biopsy confirmed the presence of CUA. Sodium thiosulfate was administered for 3 months, HD was intensified, and hyperphosphatemia control was achieved, with progressive improvement of the lesions. This case illustrates an uncommon presentation of CUA in a patient on HD for a few months, non-diabetic and not anticoagulated, but with a severe dysregulation of calcium and phosphate metabolism.