1/16. Documented hyperparathyroidism of thirty-six years' duration.The fascinating history of the first Memorial Hospital patient who was diagnosed as having hyperparathyroidism is reviewed. The illness presented as a cystic mass in a femur in 1929, which was treated with radiation. When the patient was first seen at Memorial Hospital in 1931, the diagnosis of osteitis fibrosa cystica was made; serum calcium was 14 mg/100 ml. In 1932, 6 years after Mandl performed the first parathyroidectomy ever for osteitis fibrosa cystica, this patient's neck was explored, and a right hemithyroidectomy was done, with removal of two normal parathyroid glands. The parathyroid tumor was finally located and partially removed in 1937 after a second failure at neck exploration in 1936. Correspondence between Dr. Edward D. Churchill at the massachusetts General Hospital and Dr. Bradley Coley at Memorial Hospital indicated the concern at that time about uncontrollable tetany, which had been fatal in some contemporary cases and which had led to the practice of only partially removing the tumor. Following this, the patient was observed with documented hypercalcemia and chemical evidence of hyperparathyrodism until age 79. The physical and chemical abnormalities over the years up to and including her last exam are presented. The case is important not only from the historical viewpoint, but because it lends a perspective to long-term parathyroid disease, which is becoming less appreciated in this day of the routine serum calcium by SMA-12 screening. The question of partial parathyroidectomy for adenoma or hyperplasia is reviewed, and the question of observation of patients with mild hypercalcemia who probably have parathyroid tumors is discussed.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/16. An unusual cause of hypercalcemia in polycythemia vera: parathyroid adenoma.In this paper we describe a patient with polycythemia vera (PV), who presented with hypercalcemia due to a parathyroid adenoma. In November 1999, the patient was admitted to our hospital with meteorism and constipation. Her physical examination revealed plethora and hepatosplenomegaly. Laboratory data revealed hyperparathyroidism in addition to PV: Rbc 8 x 10(6)/mm3, Hct 63.7%, serum calcium 13.4 mg/dl, serum phosphorus 1.2 mg/dl, albumin 4.25 mg/dl, and alkaline phophatase activity 433 U/l. Intact parathyroid hormone level (iPTH) was 376 pg/ml (n.v.12-72 pg/ml). Twenty-four hour urinary calcium excretion was higher than normal (900 mg). A parathyroid adenoma was detected with Tc-99m sesta-MIBI scanning under the left lobe of the thyroid gland and an ultrasonographic examination of the neck also supported the diagnosis. The patient was recommended for surgery. The histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis. Postoperatively, iPTH dropped to 53.4 pg/ml at the 15 th minute and to 33.5 pg/ml at the first hour. The calcium level was 7.5 mg/dl one hour after the operation. Five days later, Hct was 40.8%. This case represents a rare association between PV and primary hyperparathyroidism, and may provide evidence for a causal link between PTH and polycythemia vera in our patient. In conclusion, this case indicates that the differential diagnosis of hypercalcemia and polycythemia vera should also include the possibility of a parathyroid tumor in addition to malignancy.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 10.975458542454keywords = physical examination, physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/16. sarcoidosis within a pituitary adenoma.A 54 year old man presented with frontal headaches for one year. A CT scan of the head revealed a pituitary mass. He denied a change in vision or galactorrhea, but did have decreased frequency of erections and a recent episode of renal stones. On physical exam, the cranial nerves were normal. Visual field exam revealed mild bilateral temporal defects. The genitalia were normal and the testes were soft. Laboratory evaluation revealed: Na, 134 mM/l; K, 6.7 mM/l; Cl, 104 mM/l; HCO3, 22 mM/l; BUN, 47 mg/dl; Cr, 8.3 mg/dl; Ca, 12.5 mg/dl; Phos, 5.5 mg/dl; prolactin, 32.0 ng/ml; T4, 4.46 microg/dl; TSH, 2.07 microU/ml; LH, 18.1 mIU/ml; FSH 3.2 mIU/ml; alpha subunit 1.6 ng/ml; testosterone 255 ng/dl; cortisol, 20.3 microg/dl; cortisol after 250 microg cortrosyn, 38.5 microg/dl (time 60 minutes); growth hormone, 1.4 ng/ml; IGF-1, 47 ng/ml; PTH, <1 pg/ml; 25-hydroxyvitamin D, 14 ng/ml; 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, 69 pg/ml. These results were felt to be consistent with a non-PTH-mediated hypercalcemia, such as humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy, or a vitamin d-mediated hypercalcemia, such as lymphoma, sarcoidosis or tuberculosis. Head MRI demonstrated a 3.5 x 3.5 x 2.5 cm heterogeneous mass enlarging the sella, deforming the clivus and compressing the cavernous sinus, basilar artery and left side of the optic chiasm. There was a small focus of high signal in the superior part of the mass on the T1-weighted image from either a proteinaceous cyst with early calcium deposition or sub-acute blood. These radiographic findings were felt to be consistent with a pituitary adenoma. The patient was treated with intravenous hydration and thyroxine 50 microg daily and underwent a transsphenoidal resection of the pituitary lesion. Pathologic examination revealed a pituitary adenoma with multiple granulomas and crystalline material; this was consistent with sarcoid within the adenoma. Post-operatively, the serum LH fell to 5.5 mIU/ml. A subsequent transbronchial biopsy revealed multiple non-caseating granulomas. A serum ACE level was elevated at 132.6 U/l. He received oral prednisone 60 mg daily with resolution of the hypercalcemia. Neurosarcoidosis occurs in 5 to 15% of patients with sarcoidosis and can involve the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. This is the first reported case of sarcoidosis occurring within a pituitary adenoma.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/16. Primary hyperparathyroidism and neuropsychiatric alterations in a nonagenarian woman.Whether elderly patients with asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) should be treated or not is still under debate. Several literature reports have shown improvements in terms of bone density and physical and mental well-being after surgical resolution of PHPT. Here, we present the case of a 93-year-old hypertensive woman, who had suffered for one year from cognitive impairment, accompanied during the last month by behavioral alterations (and polyuria and polydipsia), which resulted in sopor leading to hospitalization. A CT brain scan evidenced cortical atrophy and cerebrovascular disease, and biochemical analyses were remarkable for hypercalcemia (11.4-12.6 mg/dL, corrected for albumin levels) associated with increased parathormone levels (95.4-100.6 pg/mL). A diagnosis of PHPT was established. densitometry evaluation of radius showed osteopenia. Withdrawal of psycho-therapy drugs and thiazidic, together with i.v. saline hydration and loop diuretics, significantly improved the patient's mental state and resolved behavioral alterations. As the patient and her relatives refused the surgical option, and the clinical situation improved after medical normalization of calcium levels, PHPT was managed conservatively, and calcium levels were maintained within the normal range through i.v. administration of zoledronate at 8-week intervals. Our case highlights the importance of considering hypercalcemia as the cause of onset of behavioral alterations and worsening of mental condition in elderly patients with cognitive decline. Therapy with bisphosphonates in patients with PHPT who are unfit for or refuse surgery seems advisable, but needs further study.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/16. Acute relapsing pancreatitis in primary hyperparathyroidism with hypercalcemia aggravated after aspiration cytology: report of a case.In 1957, Cope and his associates first noted 2 cases of pancreatitis associated with primary hyperparathyroidism. They emphasized the association of hyperparathyroidism and pancreatitis. Since then pancreatitis has become a diagnostic clue to primary hyperparathyroidism. We report herein a 39-year-old woman who had suffered from acute relapsing pancreatitis 3 times in the past 2 years. hypercalcemia persisted throughout the course. A movable mass 3 x 3 cm in diameter was noted over the right thyroid area on physical examination. A hypoechogenic mass 3.5 x 2.7 x 1.4 cm was found between the right lobe of the thyroid and the carotid artery. Because of a persistently high serum level of Ca2 , normal saline and furosemide were infused; the serum Ca2 decreased gradually. After aspiration of the suspected mass, the serum level of Ca2 increased from 8.7 mg/dL to 18 mg/dL. Because of the impression of parathyroid adenoma, surgery was performed and a 3 x 2.5 x 1.5 cm well-encapsulated mass was excised without difficulty. Pathologic examination revealed a well-encapsulated parathyroid adenoma. This case reveals that primary hyperparathyroidism maybe one of the causes of pancreatitis, and aspiration cytology, although it may be helpful for the diagnosis, can aggravate the hypercalcemia.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 10.975458542454keywords = physical examination, physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/16. Primary hyperparathyroidism mimicking vaso-occlusive crises in sickle cell disease.We report a case of bone pain associated with primary hyperparathyroidism in a patient with sickle cell disease. A 17-year-old girl with sickle cell disease (SS phenotype) was seen for bilateral knee and back pain. She had had recurrent severe vaso-occlusive crises and acute chest syndrome in the course of her disease. In the last 2 years, she had frequent visits to the emergency department for severe bone pain. She complained of long-standing fatigue and lethargy. Her physical examination was normal. hydroxyurea treatment, as well as and long- and short-acting narcotics were given, with little improvement in symptoms. Poor compliance with medication, family dysfunction, and potential narcotic addiction were felt to be significant contributors to the patient's symptoms. She was incidentally found to have an extremely elevated total calcium level of 3.19 mmol/L (range: 2.25-2.76) with an ionized calcium level of 1.9 mmol/L (range: 1.15-1.35). phosphorus level was 0.82 mmol/L (range: 0.90-1.50), alkaline phosphatase level was elevated at 519 U/L (range: 10-170), and parathyroid hormone level was extremely high at 1645 pg/mL (range: 10-60). Her renal function was normal. ultrasonography of the neck and a Sestamibi scan revealed a single left inferior parathyroid adenoma adjacent to the thyroid lobe. There was no evidence of an underlying multiple endocrine neoplasia. The patient was diagnosed with primary hyperparathyroidism. Fluid hydration, hydrocortisone, calcitonin, and bisphosphonates were initiated for acute hypercalcemia management before surgical excision of the left parathyroid adenoma. On review of previous blood work, a borderline calcium level of 2.72 was present 18 months before this admission. Two years postsurgery, she has normal renal function, calcium, and parathyroid hormone levels. The weekly visits to the emergency department for pain episodes decreased to 1 every 2 months within the first few months after her surgery. The decrease in pain episodes, even if it coincided with the treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism, may still reflect the natural evolution of sickle cell disease in this patient. However, the high morbidity associated with primary hyperparathyroidism was successfully prevented in this patient. Primary hyperparathyroidism is rare in childhood. In a recent study, it occurred more commonly in female adolescents and was because of a single adenoma, as in our patient. Significant morbidity, mainly secondary to renal dysfunction, was because of the delay in diagnosis after the onset of symptoms (2.0-4.2 years), emphasizing the need for a rapid diagnosis. Sickle cell disease affects approximately 1 of every 600 blacks in north america. Acute episodes of severe vaso-occlusive crisis account for > 90% of sickle cell-related hospitalizations and are a significant cause of morbidity in patients. There is no known association between sickle cell disease and primary hyperparathyroidism, and this case is most probably a random occurrence. However, as emphasized by this case report, pain may also be a harbinger of other disease processes in sickle cell disease. Because management may vary, we suggest that care providers consider the diagnosis of vaso-occlusive crisis as the diagnosis of exclusion and that other etiologies for pain be envisaged in this patient population, especially in the presence of prolonged pain or unusual clinical, radiologic, or biological findings.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 10.975458542454keywords = physical examination, physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/16. Metastatic calcifications and severe hypercalcemia in a patient with parathyroid carcinoma.Primary hyperparathyroidism is rarely produced by parathyroid carcinoma. We present the case of a 63-yr-old man who was admitted due to recent onset of constipation, weakness and progressive lethargy. At physical examination, a left cervical mass was palpated. Marked hypercalcemia (serum calcium 25 mg/dl) (6.22 mmol/l) complicated by renal insuficiency (serum creatinine 4.4 mg/dl) (388 micromol/l) was found, but both were unresponsive to conventional therapy and hemofiltration. autopsy examination showed a carcinoma of the upper left parathyroid gland, multiple foci of metastatic calficications in the vessel walls and parenchyma of both lungs and kidneys, and the myocardium, which contributed to multi-organ failure and death. In addition to describing the clinical presentation, we review the mechanism of metastatic calcifications as well as the role of renal function and hyperphosphatemia, and the basis for therapy of hypercalcemic crisis.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 10.975458542454keywords = physical examination, physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
8/16. Hypercalcemic crisis in pregnancy associated with excessive ingestion of calcium carbonate antacid (milk-alkali syndrome): successful treatment with hemodialysis.Severe hypercalcemia, a potentially life-threatening condition, has been reported rarely during pregnancy. A patient with hypercalcemic crisis associated with excessive ingestion of absorbable calcium antacid was treated successfully with hemodialysis as well as other therapeutic measures, such as saline diuresis. This acute therapy resulted in long-term normalization of maternal calcium levels. The fetus, who exhibited a low biophysical score during the initial admission, was delivered a month later and had an uncomplicated neonatal course. Acute hemodialysis can be an effective, rapid, and safe method of lowering serum calcium levels in pregnant patients with severe hypercalcemia unresponsive to other medical therapies.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
9/16. Parathyroid carcinoma: clinical presentation and treatment.Parathyroid tumors account for only a small percentage of all head and neck neoplasms. The overwhelming majority of these are parathyroid adenomas that result in primary hyperparathyroidism. From 0.5% to 4% of hyperparathyroid patients, however, will be found to have a parathyroid carcinoma. In this paper, the authors relate their recent experience with such a patient and with two other such cases. Parathyroid carcinoma patients usually present with striking hyperparathyroidism and hypercalcemia, with the resultant related symptoms being more severe than those associated with parathyroid adenomas. Parathyroid carcinomas also tend to be large and may be detectable by current imaging techniques. The surgical appearance of these lesions is also distinct; the tumors are frequently multilobulated, gray-tan in color, quite firm, and often invasive. These physical findings are important since frozen section diagnosis may be difficult. The final histologic diagnosis depends on the presence of mitotic figures and capsular and vascular invasions. Preoperative medical problems, surgical approach, and prognostic factors are also discussed.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
10/16. hypercalcemia of immobilization in an adult patient with peripheral neuropathy.A 48-year-old man developed a marked and persistent hypercalcemia 3 months after admission for paraplegia resulting from severe peripheral neuropathy most likely of alcoholic etiology. serum ionized calcium was elevated, and parathyroid hormone levels were low normal by the two separate radioimmunoassays. Urinary calcium excretion was markedly elevated, and serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D level was decreased. An extensive clinical evaluation for possible occult malignancy, myeloma, and sarcoidosis as a cause of hypercalcemia produced no positive findings. Treatment with calcitonin caused prompt normalization of serum calcium, and its discontinuation resulted in recurrence of hypercalcemia. With improvement of neuropathy, the patient started active physical therapy. We gradually discontinued calcitonin, and the patient's serum calcium remained normal during the following 11 months. We discuss difficulties in both clinical and laboratory diagnosis of hypercalcemia of immobilization in the adult patient because no specific laboratory test is available.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
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