Topical Sodium Thiosulfate application as an Adjunction Therapy for Leg Ulcers with Dystrophic Calcification

The challenge was to dissolve the calcium in the patient's chronic leg ulcers in order to promote wound healing, because the calcium deposits were impairing normal re-growth of epithelial tissue across the open wounds

 In all three patients wounds failed to respond to regular treatment.

Topical Sodium Thiosulfate application compresses were begun (2-3 times a week 20min compresses), followed by the placement of appropriate wound dressing (depending on amount of drainage and bacterial load) on the wounds and topical applications of steroid ointment around the wounds.

Patient’s oral regimen was unchanged, except for the intermittent addition of oral antibiotics.

The ulcers decreased in size, calcium deposits were easily removed from tissue and wound beds and clean superficial granulation tissue with healthy-appearing ingrown borders developed.  See poster

In summary, based on previous success using intravenous sodium thiosulfate for the treatment of calciphylaxis, we have found the application of topical 10% sodium thiosulfate solution to be a safe and effective treatment for dystrophic calcinosis cutis. In our patient, the calcification was manifested in ulcers on both shins, and dissolution of the calcium salts led to substantially improved wound healing and markedly decreased pain. We believe this therapy to be a novel and promising method for the treatment of cutaneous calcification, which occurs in many connective tissue diseases.