Recurrent acute pancreatitis as the first and sole presentation of undiagnosed primary hyperparathyroidism.
BACKGROUND
We highlight the pitfalls in delaying the diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) in patients with acute pancreatitis as the sole clinical presentation. Primary hyperparathyroidism is a recognised, but rare, cause of acute pancreatitis. Hypercalcaemia caused by undiagnosed pHPT may be the only causative factor of recurrent acute pancreatitis.


METHODS
Three patients with multiple admissions for acute pancreatitis were diagnosed having pHPT during the work-up to identify possible causative factors. None of the patients had any other common predisposing factor for acute pancreatitis as revealed by clinical examination, blood tests and imaging. In retrospect, all had abnormally elevated calcium during previous admissions which was not further assessed.


RESULTS
After diagnosis of pPTH, patients underwent bilateral neck exploration and parathyroidectomy. Histology confirmed parathyroid adenomas. The blood calcium level returned to normal and the patients remain well and asymptomatic after operation.


CONCLUSIONS
The role of pHPT as a causative factor is underestimated when managing patients with acute pancreatitis, and frequently the underlying disease remains undiagnosed for a long time. Proper early diagnosis and management prevent unnecessary morbidity.
Lanitis
Sophocles
S
General Surgery Department, St Mary's Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, Praed Street, London, UK. drlanitis@yahoo.com
Sivakumar
Sivahamy
S
Zaman
Nabeela
N
Westerland
Olwen
O
Al Mufti
Ragheed
R
Hadjiminas
Dimitri J
DJ
D000208:Acute Disease; D000236:Adenoma / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D049950:Hyperparathyroidism, Primary / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000209:etiology*; D010282:Parathyroid Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D012008:Recurrence