Abstract
Coexistence of primary hyperparathyroidism and acute pancreatitis has widely been reported in literature, but a causal relationship remains controversial. A case of acute pancreatitis as a first symptom of primary hyperparathyroidism with severe hypercalcemia is reported. In this patient a reduction of serum calcium level was obtained with medical therapy and resulted in the resolution of acute pancreatitis symptoms within 10 days. At the same time a parathyroid adenoma was clinically identified and elective parathyroidectomy was performed with complete normalization of intact parathyroid hormone and serum calcium level. At three-year follow-up, no recurrence or complications of pancreatitis were documented. The presented case suggests a cause and effect relationship between acute pancreatitis and severe hypercalcemia which should be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of nonbiliary, non-alcoholic acute pancreatitis. Reduction of hypercalcemia with medical treatment can represent a good chance for elective surgical neck exploration.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 135-138 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Updates in Surgery |
Volume | 63 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2011 |
Keywords
- Acute pancreatitis
- Hypercalcemia
- Primary hyperparathyroidism
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Surgery