Spontaneous hypoparathyroidism: clinical, biochemical and radiological features

Afebrile Seizures as Initial Symptom of Hypocalcemia Secondary to Hypoparathyroidism

Hypocalcemia is rare in childhood and caused, among other conditions, by hypoparathyroidism. DiGeorge syndrome is the most common cause of hypoparathyroidism in childhood. Presentation of a rare cause of hypocalcemia in childhood and the necessity of measuring serum electrolyte levels in patients presenting with afebrile seizures. a 7.5-year-old female child presented with afebrile seizures lasting 5 min with postictal drowsiness. A similar episode 1 month ago is described. On admission, a positive Trousseau sign, papilledema, and long QTc on electrocardiography were detected. Laboratory testing revealed hypocalcemia, increased creatine phosphokinase and phosphate levels, decreased levels of parathormone, with normal thyroid function and normal levels of blood gases. considering the diagnosis of hypoparathyroidism possible, we started on calcium gluconate solution 5% intravenously and calcium carbonate per os. 48 h later, the child transferred to tertiary hospital for further evaluation. The laboratory findings revealed 25-OH Vitamin D deficiency with normal cortisol levels and the absence of autoantibodies. Kidney and brain imaging and also the electroencephalogram were normal. Calcium carbonate, magnesium, and Vitamin D were administered per os. The child discharged from hospital with complete resolution of symptoms. Since then, she is in treatment with calcium carbonate and Vitamin D per os. Hypoparathyroidism is rare in childhood. We underline the necessity of measuring serum electrolyte levels in patients presenting with afebrile seizures.

Is severe hypocalcemia immediately life-threatening?

Objective

Severe hypocalcemia (Ca <1.9 mmol/L) is often considered an emergency because of a potential risk of cardiac arrest or seizures. However, there is little evidence to support this. The aim of our study was to assess whether severe hypocalcemia was associated with immediately life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias or neurological complications.

Methods

A retrospective observational study was carried out over a 2 years period in the Adult Emergency Department (ED) of Nantes University Hospital. All patients who had a protein-corrected calcium concentration measure were eligible for inclusion. Patients with multiple myeloma were excluded. The primary outcome was the number of life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias and/or neurological complications during the stay in the ED.

Results

A total of 41,823 patients had protein-corrected calcium (pcCa) concentrations measured, 155 had severe hypocalcaemia, 22 were excluded because of myeloma leaving 133 for analysis. Median pcCa concentration was 1.73 mmol/L [1.57-1.84]. Seventeen (12.8%) patients presented a life threatening condition, 14 (10.5%) neurological and 3 (2.2%) cardiac during ED stay. However these complications could be explained by the presence of underlying co-morbidities and or electrolyte disturbances other than hypocalcaemia. Overall 24 (18%) patients died in hospital. Vitamin D deficiency, chronic kidney disease and hypoparathyroidism were the most frequently found causes of hypocalcemia.

Conclusion

13% of patients with severe hypocalcaemia presented a life-threatening cardiac or neurological complication on the ED. However a perfectly valid alternative cause could account for these complications. Further research is warranted to define the precise role of hypocalcaemia.

Hypoparathyroidism: A rare treatable cause of epilepsy - report of two cases

Hypoparathyroidism occurs due to insufficient production of parathyroid hormone to maintain extracellular calcium levels within the normal range. The acute clinical symptoms and signs of hypoparathyroidism are those of hypocalcaemia, ranging from tingling and numbness of limb extremities to intractable seizures. Often seizures are mistaken for epilepsy. Though hypoparathyroidism is not uncommon, the diagnosis is often missed due to its unusual clinical manifestation. This is the first documented report with vitamin D, Parathormone levels and urinary biochemical parameters from India. We present two cases of hypoparathyroidism who presented with seizures along with a short review of literature.

Pseudohypoparathyroidism: a series of three cases and an unusual presentation of ocular tetany

Pseudohypoparathyroidism is a heterogeneous group of disorders characterised by hypocalcaemia, hyperphosphataemia, increased serum parathormone and insensitivity to the biological activity of parathormone. These patients may present for incidental surgery, procedures related to kidney stones, cataract removals and renal transplants. No particular anaesthetic agent or technique is indicated except that respiratory alkalosis should be avoided as it may further decrease ionised calcium levels and thereby precipitate tetany. In this report, we present the peri-operative management of three patients with this rare condition and describe an unusual presentation of hypocalcaemic extra-ocular muscle spasm.

Mineralization of the basal ganglia: implications for neuropsychiatry, pathology and neuroimaging

This article examines the evidence for and against the existence of basal ganglia mineralization as a defined clinico-pathological entity. In reviewing the literature on basal ganglia mineralization, this article emphasizes evidence derived from different neuroimaging modalities, genetics, metabolic studies, postmortem series and their possible neuropsychiatric correlates. Relevant articles were collected through Medline and Index Medicus searches. Researchers have encountered multiple difficulties in accepting basal ganglia mineralization as a distinct entity. This syndrome lacks set clinical criteria or a unique etiology; not surprisingly, numerous articles have applied varied definitions. Because many of the reported cases have not been examined postmortem, both the extent and nature of their mineralization remains uncertain. Furthermore, researchers have considered small foci of basal ganglia mineralization a normal phenomenon of aging. However, when brain deposits are extensive, they are associated with a set of age-dependent, progressive clinical symptoms. They include cognitive impairment, extrapyramidal symptoms and psychosis. Most cases are related to abnormalities of calcium metabolism, but rare familial cases of idiopathic origin have been reported. Overabundant mineralization of the brain is judged pathological based on its amount, distribution and accompanying clinical symptoms. Although its relation with calcium dysregulation is well known, modern studies have emphasized abnormalities of iron and dopamine metabolism. The authors suggest that these metabolic abnormalities may link basal ganglia mineralization to psychotic symptomatology.

Pseudohypoparathyroidism-Albright hereditary osteodystrophy

A 13 year old girl with short stature, and retarded mental growth with coarse facies and deranged thyroid function test was initially suspected as a case of hypothyroidism and was started on thyroxine. Lack of response to treatment and on further investigations it was diagnosed as a case of pseudohypoparathyroidism. High index of suspicion and careful evaluation is important to diagnose such an entity.

Hypoparathyroidism with extensive intracranial calcification: a case report

We present a case of hypoparathyroidism, demonstrating extensive intracranial calcification, not only in basal ganglia, but also outside the extrapyramidal system. The patient presented with an unexplained epileptifors disorder, accompanied by extrapyramidal dysfunction in the form of choreoathetosis and hemiballismus. Hemiballismus is reported for the first time to our knowledge in association with hypoparathyroidism.