Calciphylaxis: a rare limb and life threatening cause of ischaemic skin necrosis and ulceration.

Calciphylaxis (uraemic gangrene syndrome) is a rare complication of chronic renal failure and secondary hyperparathyroidism. Patients present with painful purple skin lesions which undergo necrosis and ulceration. The histology is specific. There is medial calcification with intimal hyperplasia and thrombosis of the lumen of small sized arteries in the underlying subcutaneous tissue. Death frequently arises from overwhelming sepsis. Early recognition of this condition and prompt parathyroidectomy can lead to rapid relief of symptoms and ulcer healing and may be life saving. Copyright 2000 The British Association of Plastic Surgeons.