twelve-year experience in the management of calciphylaxis resulting in penile gangrene

ABSTRACT

To analyze the mode of presentation of patients with calciphylaxis induced penile gangrene and the outcome of management of the disease Prospective study [1998 - 2010] Urology Unit, Mubarak Hospital, Kuwait Patients presenting with penile gangrene secondary to calciphylaxis were analyzed. Intervention[s] Patients with moderate to severe penile gangrene had penile amputation Main Outcome Measure[s] Etiological factors, mode of presentation, patient characteristics and the outcome of management Eleven patients were managed in the 12-year period. All patients [100%] had end stage renal failure [ESRF] and nine patients [81.8%] were on chronic dialysis at presentation. Poorly controlled diabetes mellitus was a co-morbidity in 10 patients [90.9%]. Areas of gangrene were limited to the glans penis in nine patients [81.8%] and extending to the scrotum in two patients [19.2%]. All patients had generalized calcified blood vessels on plain X-ray of the abdomen and pelvis. Eight patients [72.7%] required partial or total amputation of the penis. Three patients were successfully managed by debridement while one of them was too ill for surgical intervention. Seven patients [63.6%] were dead within three months of the diagnosis of penile gangrene. Penile gangrene due to calciphylaxis is a rare disease seen mostly in patients with ESRF on chronic dialysis. Poorly controlled diabetes is a risk factor for the onset of penile gangrene. The disease has a high mortality in older patients with other co-morbid medical diseases. Immediate penile amputation may result in a satisfactory outcome in less than 50% of all patients