An Intensive Multidisciplinary Approach in Management of Extensive Nonuremic Calciphylaxis of the Bilateral Lower Extremities with Angioinvasive Fungus and Mold

Management of infected wounds related to calciphylaxis poses a significant clinical challenge with high morbidity and mortality. Given no definitive management guidelines exist specific to nonuremic calciphylaxis, multiple modalities including sodium thiosulfate, antibiotics, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and surgical debridement with wound care must be considered. When occurring over a large surface area, standard daily dressing changes are especially labor intensive, inefficient, and ineffective. Negative pressure wound therapy with instillation and dwell time offers broad wound coverage with ongoing therapeutic benefit. We present the case of a previously healthy 19-year-old woman who was transferred for tertiary level care of extensive nonuremic calciphylaxis wounds of the bilateral lower extremities complicated by angioinvasive coinfection with fungus and mold that was managed with a multidisciplinary approach of intensive medical management, aggressive surgical debridement, and negative pressure wound therapy with instillation of hypochlorous acid solution. Ultimately, she achieved full granulation and wound coverage with skin grafting. Large area, infected wounds related to nonuremic calciphylaxis can be successfully managed with multidisciplinary medical management, aggressive surgical debridement, and negative pressure wound therapy that can instill and dwell hypochlorous acid solution.

Duke Scholars

Author Eric E. Morgan Pathology