[Analgesic therapy of calciphylaxis with levomethadone : a case study].

Calciphylaxis, or calcific uremic arteriopathy, is a rare complication of end-stage renal impairment. It is characterized by calcification of arterioles and development of intensely painful subcutaneous ischemic ulcerations. While symptomatic management is the mainstay of treatment, particular emphasis is placed on adequate analgesia. Conventional analgesic concepts have mostly proved to be insufficient which increases the extreme suffering of patients. This case report describes the successful analgesic treatment of calciphylaxis with levomethadone.