Penile Abscess Complicating Chronic Penile Calciphylaxis in a Heart Transplant Recipient and End-Stage Renal Disease Patient

TL;DR

A rare case of penile abscess in a heart transplant patient with chronic penile calciphylaxis is presented, highlighting the challenges in diagnosis and treatment.

Contribution

This case report adds to the limited literature on penile calciphylaxis and its rare complication of penile abscess in a heart transplant recipient.

Findings

Penile calciphylaxis is rare and difficult to manage, especially in heart transplant recipients.

Penile abscess is a rare but severe complication of chronic penile calciphylaxis.

The case highlights the high mortality risk and management challenges associated with this condition.

Abstract

Calciphylaxis, also known as calcific uremic arteriolopathy, is a rare but severe and life-threatening condition that is characterized by cutaneous arteriolar calcification and subsequent tissue necrosis. Calciphylaxis is more commonly seen in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and has a one-year mortality of greater than 50%. Penile calciphylaxis is extremely rare and carries a high mortality risk. Oftentimes, diagnosis and treatment are challenging. We present a case of a 71-year-old heart transplant recipient and end-stage renal disease patient with a history of chronic penile calciphylaxis who developed penile abscesses, highlighting the challenges of managing this complicated condition.

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