[Complete recovery of hungry bone syndrome using intravenous calcium infusion. Report of one case]

Rev Med Chil. 2003 Jul;131(7):779-84.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

We report a 29 years old woman with a highly symptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism. After parathyroid adenoma excision, she presented a prolonged and life threatening hypocalcemia, due to a severe hungry bone syndrome. Conventional treatment with oral and intravenous calcium and calcitriol supplementation failed to raise serum and urinary calcium or to relief symptoms. After one month, we indicated a continuous intravenous calcium infusion allowing, during 6 months, an adequate outpatient management. Initial T scores for bone density were markedly low (L2-L4: -3.14; femoral neck: -3.07) and they increased 17% after 18 days of calcium infusion. After 147 days of treatment bone density was normal, increasing by 61%. The present case shows that the hungry bone syndrome can be a real risk for patients and a complex therapeutic challenge. With an appropriate calcium supply an early, fast and complete recovery of bone mass can be achieved.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adenoma / complications
  • Adenoma / surgery
  • Adult
  • Alkaline Phosphatase / analysis
  • Bone Density
  • Bone Diseases, Metabolic / diagnosis
  • Bone Diseases, Metabolic / drug therapy*
  • Bone Regeneration*
  • Calcitriol / administration & dosage
  • Calcium / administration & dosage*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hyperparathyroidism / complications
  • Hyperparathyroidism / surgery
  • Hypocalcemia / drug therapy
  • Hypocalcemia / etiology*
  • Infusions, Intravenous
  • Parathyroid Neoplasms / complications
  • Parathyroid Neoplasms / surgery
  • Syndrome

Substances

  • Alkaline Phosphatase
  • Calcitriol
  • Calcium