TY - JOUR
T1 - Secondary hyperparathyroidism: Uncommon cause of a leg ulcer
AU - van Rijssen, L. B.
AU - Brenninkmeijer, E. E. A.
AU - Nieveen van Dijkum, E. J. M.
PY - 2012
Y1 - 2012
N2 - Most leg ulcers are vascular based. Only if vascular therapy fails other causes are considered. We report the case of a female with incapacitating leg ulcers caused by a rare condition which was only diagnosed after failing treatment. PRESENTATION OF CASE: The female had an extensive previous history including diabetes, renal insufficiency and cardiovascular disease and presented with three large and painful ulcers on her left lower leg. Standard treatment with antibiotics, wound excision and additional treatment with hyperbaric oxygen were ineffective. One month post hospital-admission calciphylaxis cutis caused by renal failure induced secondary hyperparathyroidism was diagnosed. Surgical treatment by a parathyroidectomy induced rapid regeneration of the ulcers. Our patient's vast comorbidity and previous history had expanded differential considerations causing a delay in diagnosis. Our patient's previous history led us to believe her ulcers were vascular based, however her chronic renal failure appeared responsible for her condition. Although less probable than venous insufficiency and concomittant leg ulcers or other differential considerations, calciphylaxis cutis should be part of the differential diagnosis in any end stage renal disease-patient with unexplained ulcers as an effective therapy is readily available
AB - Most leg ulcers are vascular based. Only if vascular therapy fails other causes are considered. We report the case of a female with incapacitating leg ulcers caused by a rare condition which was only diagnosed after failing treatment. PRESENTATION OF CASE: The female had an extensive previous history including diabetes, renal insufficiency and cardiovascular disease and presented with three large and painful ulcers on her left lower leg. Standard treatment with antibiotics, wound excision and additional treatment with hyperbaric oxygen were ineffective. One month post hospital-admission calciphylaxis cutis caused by renal failure induced secondary hyperparathyroidism was diagnosed. Surgical treatment by a parathyroidectomy induced rapid regeneration of the ulcers. Our patient's vast comorbidity and previous history had expanded differential considerations causing a delay in diagnosis. Our patient's previous history led us to believe her ulcers were vascular based, however her chronic renal failure appeared responsible for her condition. Although less probable than venous insufficiency and concomittant leg ulcers or other differential considerations, calciphylaxis cutis should be part of the differential diagnosis in any end stage renal disease-patient with unexplained ulcers as an effective therapy is readily available
U2 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijscr.2011.08.015
DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijscr.2011.08.015
M3 - Article
C2 - 22288037
SN - 2210-2612
VL - 3
SP - 30
EP - 33
JO - International journal of surgery case reports
JF - International journal of surgery case reports
IS - 1
ER -