Penile necrosis by calciphylaxis leading to gangrene in a patient with chronic renal failure on dialysis: A case report

INTRODUCTION: Penile calciphylaxis is a rare disease whose diagnosis is not easy. It is associated with chronic renal failure. It is a result of media calcification and blood vessels’ fibrosis such as penile arteries that eventually lead to gangrene formation in extremities and penis. Calcific uremic arteriolopathy is commonly associated with secondary hyperparathyroidism and high level of calcium and phosphate. PRESENTATION OF CASE: In this paper, we report a case of penile necrosis induced by calciphylaxis associated with chronic renal failure and diabetic macroangiopathy. We performed a partial and total amputation in two stages because of the wound infection. The patient died one week after a total penectomy. DISCUSSION: The skin biopsy is the gold standard for the diagnosis despite being a risky process. In most cases, appropriate medical management is advocated. The treatment of this pathology is still controversial. CONCLUSION: The management of this rare situation is controversial, and its diagnosis is still difficult due to the scarcity of reported cases.