An interesting case that included visual hallucinations in a patient with severe hypomagnesaemia and hypocalcaemia.
A 57-year-old man presenting with profound visual hallucinations was found to have severe hypomagnesaemia and hypocalcaemia with a normal level of parathyroid hormone (PTH). Magnesium is essential to the release of PTH so the suspected pathophysiology was thought to be: low Mg → inappropriately low PTH → low Ca. He commenced supplementation and his symptoms resolved. Causes of hypomagnesaemia are discussed.
Endocrine/OP B Department, George Eliot Hospital, Nuneaton, UK. afiscrase@yahoo.co.uk
Andrea
A
Wilkinson
D006212:Hallucinations / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D006996:Hypocalcemia / Q000150:complications*; D008275:Magnesium Deficiency / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index