A CASE OF HYPEROXALURIA - RADIOLOGICAL ASPECTS

Purpose: Oxalosis is an unusual pathological condition with calcium ox alate deposits its in soft tissue and bone, recognized as osteoscleros is on radiography. Osteosclerotic bone changes in patients treated wit h hemodialysis are in most cases due to secondary hyperparathyroidism, but several other diagnoses have to be considered. Material, Methods and Results: We describe the case of a young woman with advanced renal failure treated with hemodialysis since her youth. She had skeletal p ain and radiological examination showed: osteosclerosis with sclerotic vertebral bodies; irregular sclerosis and unsharp periostal outline i n the tubular bones of the extremities; and acrolysis and calcificatio ns of vascular and soft tissue in the hands. Histological examination showed changes typical of oxalosis. A liver biopsy excluded primary ox alosis type I, and she probably had a secondary oxalosis due to renal failure. This condition (as opposed to primary oxalosis) can be treate d with renal transplantation. Conclusion: Oxalosis is a rare condition but it should be considered in patients with radiological skeletal ch anges and chronic renal failure and should not be misinterpreted as re nal osteodystrophy. The classification of oxalosis as primary or secon dary is important for further treatment.