Calciphylaxis with normal renal function: treated with intravenous sodium thiosulfate

Summary

Calciphylaxis is a rare and potentially life-threatening condition. It is thought to result from arterial calcification causing complete vascular occlusion and subsequent cutaneous infarction. Most often, it is a complication of end-stage renal failure or hyperparathyroidism; without either of these associated conditions, it is extremely rare. We report a case of calciphylaxis in a 58-year-old white British man, who had received long-term oral prednisolone for asthma control, with prophylactic calcium supplementation. There was no history of renal failure, and the patient’s parathyroid function was normal. He was found to be heterozygous for the Factor V Leiden mutation. The acute presentation was seemingly precipitated by an episode of trauma and subsequent compression bandaging. The patient responded promptly to intravenous sodium thiosulfate. To our knowledge, this is the first case with no history of renal failure and normal parathyroid function, precipitated by compression bandaging and with an associated Factor V Leiden mutation.