Calciphylaxis – Wrap Up

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Another topic covered – and another quiz! In the latest short series of articles we have taken a brief look at the devastating condition known as calciphylaxis. Calciphylaxis is a condition that occurs predominantly in individuals with advanced chronic kidney disease, leading to vascular calcification, thrombosis, and skin necrosis. Lack of Treatment Options The pathophysiology…

Calciphylaxis – Diagnosis and Management

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As we have seen in previous weeks, calciphylaxis is a severe and complex syndrome involving vascular calcification, thrombosis, and skin necrosis. Calciphylaxis occurs almost exclusively in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD), and has a dismal mortality rate of around 80 percent (with a 1-year mortality greater than 50 percent).(1) No Evidence-Based Medical Treatments…

Pathogenesis of Calciphylaxis

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Calciphylaxis, a rare condition involving subcutaneous vascular calcification and cutaneous necrosis, is most commonly seen in patients with renal failure where it has a dismal mortality rate of up to 80 percent.(1) Calciphylaxis is a complex disorder associated with multiple histologic abnormalities and a multifactorial etiology.(1-3)  The exact pathogenesis of the condition is unclear, and…

Diagnosis of Necrotizing Fasciitis & Treatment

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Diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis (NF) can prove extremely challenging. The condition has many of the same characteristics as cellulitis, and is often diagnosed incorrectly as such.(1) The resulting delay in implementing appropriate treatment can prove catastrophic in such a rapidly progressing condition. Cellulitis or Necrotizing Fasciitis? One key differentiator between NF and cellulitis  is the…

Causes of Necrotizing Fasciitis & Risk Factors

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Necrotizing fasciitis (NF), or the ‘flesh-eating bug’ as it tends to be known in the press, is an extremely rapidly progressing infection that is difficult to manage and can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Risk Factors of Necrotizing Fasciitis While anyone with an infection may, in theory, develop NF, in practice the majority of…

Necrotizing Fasciitis – Introduction

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Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a life-threatening soft tissue infection a condition, often referred to in the press as the ‘flesh-eating bug’ on account of the speed with which the infection spreads.  The condition was first described by Hippocrates around the fifth century, and the term “necrotizing fasciitis” was coined by Joseph Jones, a former Confederate…

Summary of Vasculitis

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Over the previous few weeks, we have looked at the condition known as vasculitis, in which the blood vessels become inflamed, leading to necrosis, hemorrhage, ischemia, and infarction. Vasculitis may either be caused by one of a number of identifiable conditions (including diseases of the connective tissue, malignancy, or a drug reaction) or can be…

Vasculitis – Prevention, Diagnosis, and Management

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Vasculitis is an inflammation and necrosis of the blood vessels, leading to hemorrhage, ischemia, and infarction.(1–3) Treatment of the condition is entirely dependent on the extent of the disease. In many instances, cutaneous vasculitis is a self-limited condition, relieved by leg elevation, avoidance of standing, and therapy with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). However, more extensive…

Classification of Vasculitis

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Vasculitis, an inflammation of the blood vessel wall, is associated with multiple cutaneous manifestations as well as systemic sequelae.(1-5) Opinions on the Classification of Vasculitis Opinion is divided over the best way to classify cutaneous vasculitis. Some prefer classification according to etiology, differentiating between primary (idiopathic) and secondary disease.(1) Approximately 50% of cases are idiopathic,…