Ultrasonic diagnosis of calciphylactic lesions

Calciphylaxis is a serious disease most commonly occurring in patients with end-stage renal disease characterized by systemic medial calcification of the arteries and tissue necrosis due to ischaemia. Secondary infections contribute to the high mortality of this disease. Diagnosis is suggested by characteristic skin lesions, calcifying septal panniculitis on deep skin biopsy and detection of calcifications in conventional radiology. We are able to demonstrate the early diagnosis with high resolution high frequency ultrasound prior to the occurrence of typical skin lesions facilitating early treatment.