ASN's Mission

To create a world without kidney diseases, the ASN Alliance for Kidney Health elevates care by educating and informing, driving breakthroughs and innovation, and advocating for policies that create transformative changes in kidney medicine throughout the world.

learn more

Contact ASN

1401 H St, NW, Ste 900, Washington, DC 20005

email@asn-online.org

202-640-4660

The Latest on X

Kidney Week

Please note that you are viewing an archived section from 2021 and some content may be unavailable. To unlock all content for 2021, please visit the archives.

Abstract: PO0563

Intraperitoneal Sodium Thiosulfate: Revisiting Route of Therapy for Calciphylaxis in Peritoneal Dialysis

Session Information

Category: Bone and Mineral Metabolism

  • 402 Bone and Mineral Metabolism: Clinical

Authors

  • Janom, Khaled, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
  • Shaikhouni, Salma, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
  • Perlman, Rachel, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
  • Swartz, Richard D., University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
Introduction

Intraperitoneal (IP) drug therapy provides a convenient route for medication administration in patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD). IP sodium thiosulfate (STS) has been used for treatment of calciphylaxis with demonstrated enhanced calcium extraction. However, the use of this therapy has been limited after a reported incident case of chemical peritonitis. This reported complication did coincide with an FDA recall for STS, and the possibility remains that peritonitis may have been due to particulate matter contamination. We present a case of calciphylaxis which was successfully treated with IP STS without evidence of peritonitis.

Case Description

An 80 yo woman on PD presented with bilateral lower extremity pain and erythema. This progressed to a necrotic eschar (Figure 1A). Labs were notable for PTH 1267, and Ca x Phos product of 110. Biopsy confirmed calciphylaxis. She underwent subtotal parathyroidectomy and was treated with IV STS. Severe nausea with IV infusions necessitated discontinuation of therapy. She transitioned to IP therapy, 12.5 g of STS in 1L of normal saline as a long dwell day-time exchange to maximize absorption and subsequent mobilization of calcium from tissue. The patient’s pain significantly improved within 1 week. Therapy was completed after 3 months. The lesions almost completely healed 6 months after starting treatment (Figure 1B). Interval PD effluent cell counts, on several occasions, did not change in the PD effluent, although a modest, unexplained decrease in kt/V was noted.

Discussion

The use of IP medications in patients on PD minimizes venous access complications and reduces clinic visits. In our case, we were able to effectively treat calciphylaxis in a patient who could not tolerate IV STS therapy. No inflammatory activity appeared in the PD fluid, and it is unclear if STS had any other adverse effects. Further studies are needed to understand the impact of this therapy on peritoneal membrane transport characteristics.

Calciphylaxis lesion at diagnosis (A) and 6 months later (B)