Bone marrow oxalosis with pancytopenia in a patient with short bowel syndrome: Report of a case and review of the literature

JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2023 Jan;47(1):165-170. doi: 10.1002/jpen.2453. Epub 2022 Oct 17.

Abstract

Systemic oxalosis is a condition in which calcium oxalate crystals deposit into various bodily tissues. Although this may occur as the result of a rare primary syndrome in which an error of glyoxylate metabolism causes an overproduction of oxalate, it is more often seen as a secondary process characterized by increased enteric oxalate absorption. Here, we describe a patient with short bowel syndrome on long-term parenteral nutrition support who developed a unique manifestation of systemic oxalosis, leading to deposition of oxalate crystals within the bone marrow contributing to pancytopenia. In this report, in addition to reviewing the literature on this presumably rare manifestation of oxalosis, we also discuss its pathogenesis in the setting of short bowel syndrome and its management, including prevention.

Keywords: enteric oxalosis; gastroenterology; hematology; intestinal failure; parenteral nutrition; renal disease; short bowel syndrome.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Bone Marrow
  • Humans
  • Hyperoxaluria* / complications
  • Hyperoxaluria* / therapy
  • Oxalates / metabolism
  • Pancytopenia* / complications
  • Pancytopenia* / pathology
  • Short Bowel Syndrome* / complications
  • Short Bowel Syndrome* / metabolism
  • Short Bowel Syndrome* / therapy

Substances

  • Oxalates