Three-dimensional analysis of a calciphylaxis plaque: clues to pathogenesis.
BACKGROUND
Calciphylaxis is a rare, life-threatening disorder associated with chronic renal failure, presenting with ulcerating plaques leading to death by sepsis in 60% of patients. Calcification of subcutaneous arterioles, thromboses, and extravascular calcification have been demonstrated in incisional biopsy specimens. However, the sequence of these pathologic events is unknown.


OBJECTIVE
We examined a calciphylaxis plaque to document the wave of pathologic change from its center to its periphery.


METHODS
A calciphylaxis plaque was excised postmortem from a female patient. It was examined histologically along 12 radii from the center of the lesion to its periphery.


RESULTS
Calcification of small subcutaneous vessels was present in all histologically abnormal sections and extended further peripherally than extravascular calcification by up to 3.0 cm and further than subcutaneous thrombosis by up to 1.5 cm.


CONCLUSIONS
Vascular mural calcification is an early and essential process in the development of a calciphylaxis plaque.
Au
Sheila
S
Division of Dermatology, Department of Pathology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6Z 1Y6.
Crawford
Richard I
RI
D001344:Autopsy; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D002115:Calciphylaxis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D008875:Middle Aged; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012867:Skin / Q000648:ultrastructure*