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Calciphylaxis: Diagnostic and Treatment Advances for the Inpatient Dermatologist

  • Hospital-Based Dermatology (L Guggina and C Nguyen, Section Editors)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Calciphylaxis is a rare, life-threatening condition that frequently requires inpatient dermatology management. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the risk factors, classification, and pathogenesis of calciphylaxis, and summarizes current evidence for diagnostic testing and multi-disciplinary therapeutic management.

Recent Findings

The two major subtypes of calciphylaxis tend to present in different anatomic locations, with non-uremic lesions favoring the distal extremities. Skin biopsies obtained on the distal extremities are more sensitive in detecting calciphylaxis-related vascular calcifications, compared to other sites. Underlying hypercoagulable disorders are common among calciphylaxis patients, implicating thrombosis as a major mediator of this disease and highlighting the potential therapeutic role of anticoagulants.

Summary

Calciphylaxis is a challenging condition to treat, requiring multi-disciplinary care from dermatology, nephrology, pain medicine, plastic/general surgery, and palliative care. Inpatient dermatologists should be aware of the risk factors associated with calciphylaxis and focus therapy with pharmacologic agents and local wound care.

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References

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

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  1. Department of Dermatology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA

    Gowri Kabbur & Daniel D. Miller

  2. Department of Internal Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA

    Gowri Kabbur

  3. Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA

    Daniel D. Miller

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Kabbur, G., Miller, D.D. Calciphylaxis: Diagnostic and Treatment Advances for the Inpatient Dermatologist. Curr Derm Rep 9, 244–255 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13671-020-00316-z

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