[Calciphylaxis: a rare differential diagnosis of systemic vasculitis].
BACKGROUND
Calciphylaxis is a rare phenomenon of medium- and small-vessel calcifications leading to cutaneous necrosis mimicking vasculitis.


METHODS
A 75 year-old-woman with chronic renal insufficiency was admitted for extensive cutaneous necrosis of the limb. Diagnosis of vasculitis was made, but inspite of corticosteroid therapy, the condition of the patient was worsening. After cutaneous biopsy, the diagnosis of calciphylaxis was established.


CONCLUSIONS
Calciphylaxis must be suspected in cases of cutaneous necrosis occurring in a patient with chronic renal failure. Treatment requires rapid normalization of phosphocalcic balance. It is a condition with high mortality.
Khellaf
M
M
Service de Médecine Interne, CHU Henri-Mondor, 51, avenue de Lattre-de-Tassigny, 94010 Créteil, France. mehdi.khellaf@hmn.aphp.fr
Wechsler
J
J
Roucayrol
A-M
AM
Roujeau
J-C
JC
Godeau
B
B
D000368:Aged; D002115:Calciphylaxis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications*; D007871:Leg Ulcer / Q000209:etiology; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000175:diagnosis*