Small intestinal infarction: a fatal complication of systemic oxalosis
- 1The Department of Cellular Pathology, The John Radcliffe Hospital, Headley Way, Headington, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
- 2Laboratory Medicine Academic Group, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
- 3Manchester Institute of Nephrology and Transplantation, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9WL, UK
- Dr Roberts email: ian.roberts{at}orh.Anglox.nhs.uk
- Accepted 20 January 2000
Abstract
Primary hyperoxaluria is a rare genetic disorder characterised by calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis and nephrocalcinosis leading to renal failure, often with extrarenal oxalate deposition (systemic oxalosis). Although ischaemic complications of crystal deposition in vessel walls are well recognised clinically, these usually take the form of peripheral limb or cutaneous ischaemia. This paper documents the first reported case of fatal intestinal infarction in a 49 year old woman with systemic oxalosis and advocates its consideration in the differential diagnosis of an acute abdomen in such patients.
