Parathyroid crisis as first manifestation of primary hyperparathyroidism

G Ntaios; C Savopoulos; A Chatzinikolaou; G Kaiafa; A Hatzitolios; D Karamitsos

doi:10.1016/j.ejim.2007.02.025

Parathyroid crisis as first manifestation of primary hyperparathyroidism

Eur J Intern Med. 2007 Nov;18(7):551-2. doi: 10.1016/j.ejim.2007.02.025. Epub 2007 Jul 12.

Authors

G Ntaios¹, C Savopoulos, A Chatzinikolaou, G Kaiafa, A Hatzitolios, D Karamitsos

Affiliation

¹ 1st Propedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece.

PMID: 17967338
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejim.2007.02.025

Abstract

We report the case of a 61-year-old woman who suffered a parathyroid crisis due to a parathyroid adenoma. The patient presented with the typical clinical symptoms of hypercalcemia. Ca(+2) and PTH were markedly increased. Initially, she was treated conservatively until Ca(+2) returned to normal levels. Then, she underwent surgical excision of a newly diagnosed parathyroid adenoma. Parathyroid crisis (PC), also known as parathyroid storm or acute primary hyperparathyroidism, is a rare and serious complication of primary hyperparathyroidism (PH). Fewer than 200 cases have been described in the literature. Prognosis is poor: mortality is 100% in non-operable cases and 20% in cases in which parathyroidectomy is performed. We emphasize the importance of early diagnosis and aggressive treatment.