Severe Hyperparathyroidism Versus Parathyroid Carcinoma : A clinical dilemma

• Main Authors: Mariam Al-Fadhli, Suhail A R Doi, Thomas Muttikkal, Basel Al-Sumait
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sultan Qaboos University 2010-04-01
• Series: Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal
• Subjects: hyperparathyroidism; parathyroid carcinoma; surgery; complications; treatment; case report; kuwait
• Online Access: https://journals.squ.edu.om/index.php/squmj/article/view/1457

No clinical or laboratory data allow a preoperative diagnosis of parathyroid carcinoma and only occasionally does a definitive finding differentiate an adenoma from a carcinoma. We present a case of primary hyperparathyroidism presenting with severe elevation of parathyroid hormone and serum calcium as well as complications. We go on to discuss the case in the light of a literature review. The severity of the elevation of the parathyroid hormone, other biochemical alterations, the presence of skeletal and renal complications and of a neck mass should alert the clinician to a possible parathyroid carcinoma. Radical surgery is the only effective therapy for parathyroid carcinoma, and should always be performed if a preoperative suspicion is entertained.