Chronic calcifying pancreatitis associated with primary hyperparathyroidism--report of a case and review of the literature

Abstract

A 34 year old male was hospitalized because of severe abdominal pain and diarrhea. An abdominal X-ray revealed multiple calculi in the head of pancreas and blood tests showed his serum calcium level to be high. He underwent surgery of the parathyroid gland and a parathyroid tumor was removed. Two months later, resection of the head of the pancreas was also performed. Eighteen months after his operation there has been no recurrence of abdominal pain or diarrhea and his serum calcium level is within the normal range. We report this case herein and also discuss the possible cause and effect relationship between primary hyperparathyroidism and pancreatitis, and the appropriate management, in relation to a review of the literature.