Hyperfunctioning parathyroid carcinoma presenting as acute pancreatitis in pregnancy

Abstract

Hyperparathyroidism during pregnancy is an uncommon condition. Several case reports and literature reviews in the last two decades have reported only benign tumors but have demonstrated that this disease is associated with significant neonatal morbidity and mortality as well as maternal morbidity. Parathyroid carcinoma is a rare disease entity associated with a much more severe course and prognosis than parathyroid adenomas; it has not been reported in a pregnant woman. We report here a case of a hyperfunctioning parathyroid carcinoma that presented as acute pancreatitis in pregnancy. The details of the case management and outcome in both the patients and infant are discussed. A summary of the literature on the findings and management of parathyroid carcinoma is also discussed in relation to this case report.