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Case Reports
. 2020 Dec 10;13(12):e237875.
doi: 10.1136/bcr-2020-237875.

Hypercalcaemia in primary hyperparathyroidism: a rare cause of recurrent acute pancreatitis

Prabir Kumar Kundu  1 , Satyaki Basu  1 , Uddalak Chakraborty  1 , Atanu Chandra  2
Affiliations
Case Reports

Hypercalcaemia in primary hyperparathyroidism: a rare cause of recurrent acute pancreatitis

Prabir Kumar Kundu et al. BMJ Case Rep. .

Abstract

Hyperparathyroidism leading to hypercalcaemia is a rare cause of acute pancreatitis with debatable association. The diagnosis of hyperparathyroidism is frequently overlooked or delayed as symptoms are non-specific and serum calcium is not routinely measured in acute pancreatitis. Early diagnosis and treatment of hyperparathyroidism may reduce the chances of complications. We report a 35-year-old woman, who was admitted with recurrent episodes of acute pancreatitis. She was previously diagnosed with gall-stone induced acute pancreatitis, had undergone laparoscopic cholecystectomy, but the recurrence of acute pancreatitis suggested an alternative aetiology and provoked extensive investigations. Serum calcium was found to be elevated. No additional risk factor for pancreatitis was found. Further workup revealed primary hyperparathyroidism, which was due to a functioning parathyroid adenoma. She has undergone parathyroidectomy followed by an uneventful recovery. She subsequently conceived and is now in her first trimester, without any recurrence of acute pancreatitis since her surgery.

Keywords: calcium and bone; endocrine system; gastrointestinal system; pancreatitis.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Contrast-enhanced CT abdomen showing bulky pancreas with heterogenous attenuation, peripancreatic fat stranding with ascites.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Single-photon emission CT suggestive of parathyroid adenoma in relation to left lobe and isthmus of thyroid gland.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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