title: Hyperparathyroidism and chronic pancreatitis.
abstract: Hyperparathyroidism is a rare cause of pancreatitis. The nature of the relationship between the two entities is not well defined, i.e. is it casual or causal? We describe 2 patients with chronic pancreatitis and hyperparathyroidism who presented with epigastric pain and were initially treated unsuccessfully by surgical drainage of the pancreatic ducts. In 1 case the hyperparathyroidism was only recognised after the pancreatic surgery. In both the symptoms of chronic pancreatitis responded well to parathyroidectomy. We believe that our cases add support to a causal relationship between pancreatitis and hyperparathyroidism. Whatever the true relationship, management of these patients should initially be directed at the hyperparathyroidism, followed by appropriate treatment of the pancreatitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pawlak
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Pantanowitz
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Botha
mesh_terms: D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004322:Drainage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006961:Hyperparathyroidism / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010183:Pancreatic Ducts / Q000601:surgery; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone / Q000097:blood; D016105:Parathyroidectomy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D010281:Parathyroid Hormone