CALCIPHYLAXIS IN CHRONIC-RENAL-FAILURE

Three cases of calciphylaxis in patients with terminal renal insuffici ency are discussed. The existence of metastatic calcifications, mainly vascular, in patients with chronic renal insufficiency is frequent. H owever calciphylaxis is a process which is rarely found in these patie nts. This entity is characterized by the obliteration of small vessels with ischemia and necrosis. The exceptionality of the disease, its di fficult treatment and poor evolution make calciphylaxis a bad prognost ic complication which should be considered in the differential diagnos is of cutaneous lesions in patients with chronic renal insufficiency.