Cutaneous calciphylaxis of the glans penis presenting as a gangrenous ulceration.

ABSTRACT

Report _Case Presentation X Photo Vignette _Letter Authors declare that the contents of this article are their own original unpublished findings. Title Cutaneous calciphylaxis of the glans penis presenting as a gangrenous ulceration Authors Marie Danset, Cécile Lesort, Denis Jullien, Jean Kanitakis Affiliations Dermatology Department, Edouard Herriot Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Claude Bernard Lyon I University, Lyon, France Corresponding Author Jean Kanitakis, Department of Dermatology, Edouard Herriot Hospital Group, 69437 Lyon Cedex 03, France, Tel 33-472110301, Email jean.kanitakis@univ-lyon1.fr Abstract Calciphylaxis is a rare microvascular disorder causing necrotic skin ulcers. It is characterized by deposits of calcium within vascular walls but its precise pathogenesis remains poorly understood. A major risk factor is end-stage renal disease on dialysis. We report a 67-year-old man with calciphylaxis revealed by an unusual necrotic ulcer of the glans penis. The patient also presented with bilateral panniculitis of the thighs and a calf ulcer. All those lesions were painful, highlighting the value of pain as a diagnostic clue. Penile involvement of calciphylaxis is rare and biopsy is often avoided in this area. However, rapid diagnosis of calciphylaxis is important because early treatment has a better chance of being successful. Our patient's condition deteriorated rapidly with development of bilateral retinal artery occlusion and he died shortly thereafter. This case further highlights the fact that calciphylaxis is a systemic vascular disease with an ominous prognosis.