Calciphylaxis is a condition characterised by necrosis (cellular
death) of the skin and fatty tissue. It is seen mainly in
patients with end stage kidney disease. It is also sometimes
called calcific uraemic arteriolopathy. In 1981, approximately
50 cases of calciphlaxis were reported in the world literature.
Today, the incidence is estimated at 1 percent per year in
patients undergoing dialysis. The mortality is extremely high,
up to 80%, often within several months of onset. The primary
cause of death is from secondary infection of the ulcers, and
sepsis. How does it occur? The cause of calciphylaxis is not
properly understood. Calcification blocks small blood vessels
deep in the skin, resulting in spreading skin necrosis (tissue
death). Small blood vessels become blocked with blood clots,
which leads to the black painful necrotic areas. It is thought
that the clots occur because of calfication within the walls of
the blood vessels. In chronic renal failure, it is often
associated with a condition known as