Treatment of Uremic Tumoral Calcinosis in Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients

Abstract

<b><i>Background/Aims:</i></b> Uremic tumoral calcinosis (UTC) is a rare disease with metastatic tissue calcification in maintenance hemodialysis (HD) patients. However, limited data are available on the treatment of UTC in HD patients. This article mainly discusses the diagnostic findings and efficacy of treatment on HD patients with UTC. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A retrospective analysis was conducted based on the data of 13 cases of UTC, including their clinical features, biochemical indicators, imaging findings, diagnosis, therapeutic methods, and follow-up results. Parathyroidectomy (PTX) or drug treatment was determined based on intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels and clinical symptoms. <b><i>Results:</i></b> All 13 patients were diagnosed as UTC definitely by imaging examination. The predominant areas involved were the buttocks (4 cases, 30.77%), shoulders (4 cases, 30.77%), and elbows (3 cases, 23.08%). Based on the levels of iPTH, cases were categorized into 2 different groups: PTX treatment group was associated with high levels of iPTH, while drug treatment group (lanthanum carbonate or sevelamer with sodium thiosulfate) was associated with lower iPTH levels. After PTX treatment, there was a significant decrease in serum iPTH, calcium (Ca), phosphate (P), and alkaline phosphatase levels (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.05). In drug treatment group, the serum <i>p</i> levels were decreased significantly, along with a finding that hemoglobin levels were increased (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.05). All the UTC had lessened or even disappeared after 4–6 months treatment. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Although most UTC patients have an increased iPTH, a small number had lower iPTH levels. Based on iPTH levels and clinical symptoms, the patients were treated with PTX or drug therapy. With proper treatment, UTC disappeared without the need for surgery to remove calcinosis tissue.