Porphyria cutanea tarda occurring in a patient with renal failure, systemic lupus erythematosus and chronic hepatitis C infection treated with hemodialysis

The diagnosis and management of porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) is complicate d when it occurs in the context of renal failure, chronic hemodialysis, and anemia. We report a case of a woman who pre presented with painful acral b listers and hyperpigmentation. Her medical history included systemic lupus erythematosus, chronic hepatitis C infection, and renal failure necessitati ng chronic hemodialysis with a baseline anemia. A highly elevated serum por phyrin level led to the diagnosis of PCT: Treatment with small repealed phl ebotomies and concomitant administration of erythropoietin was effective in managing her PCT.