CALCIPHYLAXIS IN A PATIENT WITH CROHNS-DISEASE IN THE ABSENCE OF END-STAGE RENAL-DISEASE

Calciphylaxis is a rare and life-threatening condition of progressive cutaneous necrosis secondary to small and medium-sized vessel calcific ation previously described in patients with end-stage renal disease an d hyperparathyroidism, Early diagnosis may be important in improving t he poor outcome in these patients since early intervention may foresta ll the development of life-threatening complications. We describe a pa tient with Crohn's disease complicated by short-bowel syndrome and mod est renal insufficiency (not requiring renal replacement therapy) who developed calciphylaxis. It appears that longstanding Crohn's disease and the short-bowel syndrome accelerated the development of calciphyla xis as the chronic renal disease was not end stage. Considering the po ssibility of calciphylaxis in this setting may avoid delaying the diag nosis and its consequences. (C) 1997 by the National Kidney Foundation , Inc.