Multiple electrolyte abnormalities after pamidronate administration

Abstract

Pamidronate constitutes a major advance in the treatment of tumor-associated hypercalcemia. However, transient electrolyte abnormalities have been reported after pamidronate administration. We describe here a patient with multiple myeloma and severe hypercalcemia who developed transient but significant electrolyte disturbances (mainly hypophosphatemia and hypomagnesemia) after a single dose of 90 mg of pamidronate, focusing on the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms.