CALCINOSIS CUTIS, RENAL INSUFFICIENCY AND LOWMOLECULAR- WEIGHT CALCIUM-CONTAINING HEPARINS

  • Pedro Mendes-Bastos Interno de Dermatovenereologia/Resident, Dermatology and Venereology, Serviço de Dermatologia e Venereologia, Hospital de Curry Cabral, Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central, Lisboa, Portugal
  • Vasco Coelho-Macias Assistente Hospitalar de Dermatovenereologia/Consultant of Dermatology and Venereology, Serviço de Dermatologia e Venereologia, Hospital de Curry Cabral, Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central, Lisboa, Portugal
  • Rodrigo Carvalho Assistente Hospitalar de Dermatovenereologia/Consultant of Dermatology and Venereology, Serviço de Dermatologia e Venereologia, Hospital de Curry Cabral, Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central, Lisboa, Portugal
  • Adelaide Milheiro Assistente Hospitalar Graduada de Anatomia Patológica/Consultant of Pathology, Serviço de Anatomia Patológica, Hospital de Curry Cabral, Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central, Lisboa, Portugal
  • Jorge Cardoso Diretor de Serviço, Serviço de Dermatologia e Venereologia/Consultant Chief and Head of Dermatology and Venereology Department, Hospital de Curry Cabral, Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central, Lisboa, Portugal
Keywords: Calcinosis, Nadroparin, Renal insufficiency, Skin diseases

Abstract

A 35-year old black woman was referred to a Dermatology appointment due to subcutaneous nodules located in the right paraumbilical region and right flank that had appeared 2 weeks before. Her medical history was relevant for renal insuficiency on hemodialysis and infection by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1). On physical examination there were two well-defined subcutaneous nodules; upon palpation, these lesions had a hard consistency, were painful and not adherent to the deep planes. An incisional biopsy was performed and histopathological examination was consistent with the diagnostic hypothesis of calcinosis cutis. A careful review of all medication established a temporal relationship between the skin nodules and subcutaneous administration of nadroparin calcium in that location. The nodules resolved spontaneously within 2 months after stopping the nadroparin calcium subcutaneous injections. Calcinosis cutis due to subcutaneous administration of low-molecular-weight calcium-containing heparins is rare and it is assumed that an elevated calcium-phosphorus product may be decisive in its pathophysiology. It is generally self-limited, resolving spontaneously.

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References

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Published
2015-04-13
How to Cite
Mendes-Bastos, P., Coelho-Macias, V., Carvalho, R., Milheiro, A., & Cardoso, J. (2015). CALCINOSIS CUTIS, RENAL INSUFFICIENCY AND LOWMOLECULAR- WEIGHT CALCIUM-CONTAINING HEPARINS. Journal of the Portuguese Society of Dermatology and Venereology, 72(4), 565-568. https://doi.org/10.29021/spdv.72.4.329
Section
Case Reports