Korean J Dermatol.  2019 Jun;57(5):270-273.

Improvement in Multiple Metastatic Calcinosis Cutis Lesions after Hemodialysis in a Patient with Chronic Renal Failure: A Case Report

• Choi IH
• Park CJ
• Lee KH

Abstract

Metastatic calcinosis cutis refers to the deposition of calcium salts in normal tissue secondary to an underlying defect in calcium and/or phosphate metabolism. It commonly affects periarticular areas in patients with chronic renal failure. We report a case of a 51-year-old man with a past medical history of peritoneal dialysis for chronic renal failure, who presented with multiple yellowish nodules on his right thumb. In view of the asymptomatic non-inflamed fluctuating nodules, the differential diagnoses included bacterial, tuberculous, atypical mycobacterial, or fungal infections. Histopathological and radiological examinations revealed calcifications in the right thumb and shoulder with elevated serum phosphorus and parathyroid hormone levels. The lesions improved after the patient was switched from peritoneal dialysis to hemodialysis. We report a case of metastatic calcinosis cutis in a patient with chronic renal failure. We emphasize the importance of imaging for accurate diagnosis and follow-up of calcinosis cutis and that hemodialysis scores over peritoneal dialysis in the treatment of this condition.

Keyword

Calcinosis cutis; Metastatic calcinosis cutis

MeSH Terms

Calcinosis*
Calcium
Diagnosis
Diagnosis, Differential
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Kidney Failure, Chronic*
Metabolism
Middle Aged
Parathyroid Hormone
Peritoneal Dialysis
Phosphorus
Renal Dialysis*
Salts
Shoulder
Thumb
Calcium
Parathyroid Hormone
Phosphorus
Salts