Published online Aug 26, 2019. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v7.i16.2367
Peer-review started: April 24, 2019
First decision: June 3, 2019
Revised: June 11, 2019
Accepted: June 26, 2019
Article in press: June 27, 2019
Published online: August 26, 2019
Processing time: 124 Days and 11.9 Hours
The association between primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) and acute pancreatitis is rarely reported. Here we describe the process of acute pancreatitis-mediated PHPT induced by hypercalcemia in a male patient. Hypercalcemia induced by undiagnosed PHPT may be the causative factor in recurrent acute pancreatitis.
We report a case of hypercalcemia-induced acute pancreatitis caused by a functioning parathyroid adenoma in a 57-year-old man. The patient initially experienced a series of continuous gastrointestinal symptoms including abdominal distension, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, electrolyte disturbance, renal dysfunction, and acute pancreatitis. Due to prolonged hypercalcemia, the patient subsequently underwent surgical resection of the parathyroid adenoma. Two weeks after surgery, his serum calcium, amylase, and lipase concentrations were normal. The patient had a good recovery after a series of other relevant therapies.
Acute pancreatitis as the first presentation is a rare clinical symptom caused by PHPT-induced hypercalcemia.
Core tip: Acute pancreatitis as the first presentation is a rare clinical symptom caused by primary hyperparathyroidism-induced hypercalcemia. Surgical
resection remains the only safe and curative treatment option available. Therefore, the possibility of hyperparathyroidism disease needs to be considered when acute pancreatitis occurs.