title: Secondary hyperparathyroidism: Uncommon cause of a leg ulcer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Most leg ulcers are vascular based. Only if vascular therapy fails other causes are considered. We report the case of a female with incapacitating leg ulcers caused by a rare condition which was only diagnosed after failing treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  The female had an extensive previous history including diabetes, renal insufficiency and cardiovascular disease and presented with three large and painful ulcers on her left lower leg. Standard treatment with antibiotics, wound excision and additional treatment with hyperbaric oxygen were ineffective. One month post hospital-admission calciphylaxis cutis caused by renal failure induced secondary hyperparathyroidism was diagnosed. Surgical treatment by a parathyroidectomy induced rapid regeneration of the ulcers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our patient's vast comorbidity and previous history had expanded differential considerations causing a delay in diagnosis. Our patient's previous history led us to believe her ulcers were vascular based, however her chronic renal failure appeared responsible for her condition.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although less probable than venous insufficiency and concomittant leg ulcers or other differential considerations, calciphylaxis cutis should be part of the differential diagnosis in any end stage renal disease-patient with unexplained ulcers as an effective therapy is readily available.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: L B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: van Rijssen
authors.forename: E E A
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Brenninkmeijer
authors.forename: E J M
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Nieveen van Dijkum