[Pancreatitis in primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) is a complication of advanced pHPT]

Risk of Gallstone Disease in Primary Hyperparathyroidism: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Apart from renal stones, primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) has been linked to the occurrence of gallstone disease (GSD). Nevertheless, the association is not consistent across all studies. The present systematic review and meta-analysis aims to collate the hitherto available evidence and provide a pooled estimate of the association between GSD and PHPT.

METHODS

PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science databases were systematically searched from inception till May 10, 2023 for observational studies reporting the prevalence of GSD (in terms of absolute numbers) in patients with PHPT. The pooled prevalence of GSD and odds ratio with 95% CI of the occurrence of GSD in patients with PHPT as compared to age- and sex-matched controls were calculated. Subgroup analysis was performed based on patient ethnicity (Indian/Caucasian). Statistical analysis was carried out using R version 4.2.2. Random-effects model with Hartung-Knapp adjustment was used for analyses.

RESULTS

A total of 7 observational studies were included, pooling data from 15 949 patients with PHPT. The pooled prevalence of GSD in patients with PHPT was 16% (95% CI: 7%, 25%, I2 = 99%), being 13% (95% CI: 0%, 66%, I2 = 76%) in Indians, and 17% (95% CI: 4%, 31%, I2 = 99%) in Caucasians. Data consolidated from 3 studies showed that the pooled odds ratio of occurrence of GSD in patients with PHPT compared to controls was 1.77 (95% CI: 1.60, 1.97, P < .001, I2 = 0%).

CONCLUSIONS

GSD is more prevalent in patients with PHPT than in the general population. Thus, PHPT may be considered an additional risk factor for GSD.

PHPT with Pancreatitis: Atypical Presentation of PHPT

Background

Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is rarely associated with the occurrence of acute or chronic pancreatitis, requiring complex perioperative management. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and disease characteristics of pancreatitis in PHPT.

Materials and Methods

This study is a clinicopathological analysis of the medical records of patients who were diagnosed with PHPT with pancreatitis between 1989 and 2021 in the Endocrine Surgery department, SGPGI, Lucknow.

Results

Out of 548 PHPT cases, 44 (8.03%) were found to be associated with pancreatitis. The mean age was 33.57 years (15-65 years); 5 were ≤20 years, while 26 were ≤30 years of age. There were 27 males and 17 females. Twenty-one cases were of acute (11 acute, nine recurrent acute, one acute on chronic), whereas 23 were of chronic pancreatitis (six chronic calcific pancreatitis). The major clinical presentation of PHPT with pancreatitis was abdominal pain (65.91%). The mean number of attacks per patient in recurrent acute pancreatitis was two. Mean PTH levels were 68.19 pmol/L. The mean tumor size (in the largest dimension) was 2.79 ± 1.4 cm while the mean tumor weight was 4.91 g. Nephrolithiasis was associated with 25 cases. An association with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 syndrome was seen in one case. The final histopathological diagnosis was parathyroid carcinoma in two, hyperplasia in three, and parathyroid adenoma in 39 cases. Normocalcemia was seen in 27.2%, hypercalcemic crisis in 15.9%, and 25% of patients required semi-emergency parathyroidectomy. The outcome was favorable in all, as none had any further attacks of pancreatitis.

Conclusion

In our study, the prevalence of pancreatitis in PHPT cases was 8.03%. The majority of patients were young. Normocalcemia was seen in 12 patients, so even if calcium levels are normal, PHPT should be suspected in young patients with pancreatitis. Parathyroidectomy resulted in the complete resolution of symptoms of pancreatitis in all 44 patients.

Primary hyperparathyroidism presenting as acute pancreatitis: An institutional experience with review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Acute pancreatitis (AP) presenting as an initial manifestation of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is uncommon, and its timely diagnosis is crucial in preventing recurrent attacks of pancreatitis.

AIM

To determine the clinical, biochemical, and radiological profile of PHPT patients presenting as AP.

METHODS

This is a retrospective observational study, 51 consecutive patients admitted with the diagnosis of PHPT during January 2010 and October 2021 at a tertiary care hospital in Puducherry, India was included. The diagnosis of AP was established in the presence of at least two of the three following features: abdominal pain, levels of serum amylase or lipase greater than three times the normal, and characteristic features at abdominal imaging.

RESULTS

Out of the 51 consecutive patients with PHPT, twelve (23.52%) had pancreatitis [5 (9.80%) AP, seven (13.72%) chronic pancreatitis (CP)]. PHPT with AP (PHPT-AP) was more common among males with the presentation at a younger age (35.20 ± 16.11 vs 49.23 ± 14.80 years, P = 0.05) and lower plasma intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels [125 (80.55-178.65) vs 519.80 (149-1649.55, P = 0.01)] compared to PHPT without pancreatitis (PHPT-NP). The mean serum calcium levels were similar in both PHPT-AP and PHPT-NP groups [(11.66 ± 1.15 mg/dL) vs (12.46 ± 1.71 mg/dL), P = 0.32]. PHPT-AP also presented with more gastrointestinal symptoms like abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting with lesser skeletal and renal manifestations as compared to patients with PHPT-NP.

CONCLUSION

AP can be the only presenting feature of PHPT. Normal or higher serum calcium levels during AP should always draw attention towards endocrine causes like PHPT.

A Rare Triad: Hypercalcemia-Induced Necrotizing Pancreatitis Presenting as Severe Diabetic Ketoacidosis

Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) typically occurs in persons above 45 years, with a female predominance. PHPT induces a state of hypercalcemia, but acute pancreatitis is a rare sequelae of this hypercalcemia. We report a case of a 31-year-old man with no known medical history who presented in diabetic ketoacidosis with electrolyte abnormalities. His clinical course progressed to multi-organ dysfunction despite correction of metabolic derangements. Further workup led to the discovery of the uncommon triad by which previously undiagnosed PHPT precipitated severe diabetic ketoacidosis.

Primary hyperparathyroidism and pancreatitis

PURPOSE

The true association between primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) and pancreatitis continues to be controversial. In this study, we present clinical data, investigative profile, management and follow-up of PHPT patients with pancreatitis and compare this group with PHPT patients without pancreatitis.

METHODS

Records of 242 patients with PHPT managed at our center over 24 years were retrospectively analyzed for demographic and laboratory data. The diagnosis of pancreatitis was entertained in the presence of at least two of the three following features: abdominal pain, levels of serum amylase greater than three times the normal or characteristic features at imaging.

RESULTS

Fifteen (6.19%) of the 242 consecutive patients with PHPT had had pancreatitis. Fourteen patients (93.3%) had acute pancreatitis (AP), while one patient had chronic calcific pancreatitis. Over half (8 of 14) of the patients with AP had at least two episodes of pancreatitis. Pancreatitis was the presenting symptom in 14 (93.3%) patients. None of the pancreatitis cases had additional risk factors for pancreatitis. PHPT patients with pancreatitis had significantly higher serum calcium and ALP than PHPT patients without pancreatitis. After successful parathyroidectomy, 14 patients had no further attacks of pancreatitis during a median follow-up of 16 months (range 2-41 months), while recurrence of pancreatitis was seen in one patient.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that pancreatitis can be the only presenting complaint of PHPT. Our study highlights the importance of fully investigating for PHPT in any pancreatitis patient with high normal or raised serum calcium level, especially in the absence of other common causes of pancreatitis.

Frequency & predictors of pancreatitis in symptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism

Background & objectives:

The frequency and predictors of pancreatitis in primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) are not well understood. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the frequency of pancreatitis in patients with PHPT and its association with clinical and biochemical parameters of the disease.

Methods:

In this retrospective study all consecutive patients with PHPT registered in the PHPT registry (www.indianphptregistry.com) from the year 2004 to 2013 were included. The clinical, biochemical and radiological parameters related to pancreatitis were evaluated in histologically proven PHPT patients.

Results:

A total of 218 patients (63 men; mean age: 40.6±14.4 yr) underwent surgery for PHPT during the study. Pancreatitis occurred in 35 [16%, 18 acute and 17 chronic pancreatitis (CP)] patients and male:female ratio was 1:0.94. Skeletal manifestations were seen less frequently in PHPT with pancreatitis as compared to that of PHPT without pancreatitis. PHPT with pancreatitis had significantly higher serum calcium (12.4±2.0 vs. 11.7±1.5 mg/dl, P<0.05) in comparison to PHPT without pancreatitis. PHPT with acute pancreatitis (AP) had higher serum calcium (P<0.05) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) (P<0.05) levels than PHPT with CP. Curative parathyroidectomy improved the symptoms associated with pancreatitis as there was no recurrence in AP group, whereas recurrence was observed only in about 10 per cent patients of the CP group.

Interpretation & conclusions:

Pancreatitis was observed in 16 per cent of PHPT patients with male predominance in the study population. No recurrence of AP was observed after curative surgery. It may be proposed that serum amylase with calcium and PTH should be measured in all patients of PHPT with pain abdomen to rule out pancreatitis.

Ileal Tuberculosis Causing Hypercalcemia and Renal Failure

Hypercalcemia rarely causes acute pancreatitis due to secretory block in the pancreas and damage by accumulated proteases. Hypercalcemia, though described in granulomatous disorders, is uncommon in tuberculosis. Acute kidney injury is known to occur with acute pancreatitis, secondary to sepsis and septic shock; however, acute pancreatitis resulting in acute cortical necrosis is very rare. We report a 22-year-old woman, who presented with pain abdomen and vomiting. She was found to have features of acute pancreatitis, both biochemically and radiologically. She had hypercalcemia on presentation and this was attributed to be the cause for pancreatitis as other causes were ruled out. 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D level was high with normal parathyroid hormone level. Whole-body positron emission tomography-computed tomography showed increased fluorodeoxyglucose uptake in the terminal ileum and histology from that area showed noncaseating granuloma with acid-fast bacilli in the tissue. She was treated with antituberculosis therapy; hypercalcemia improved over a period of time and pancreatitis resolved. She developed anuric renal failure, and kidney biopsy showed patchy acute cortical necrosis. She is dialysis dependent at the end of 6 months. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of a patient with ileal tuberculosis presenting with hypercalcemia and acute pancreatitis. This case is reported due to the rarity of extrapulmonary tuberculosis presenting with symptomatic hypercalcemia, acute pancreatitis, and acute renal cortical necrosis.

Clinical Profile and Outcome of Parathyroid Adenoma-Associated Pancreatitis

Background:

Primary hyperparathyroidism due to parathyroid adenoma presenting with pancreatitis as the initial manifestation is rare. The causal relationship between pancreatitis and primary hyperparathyroidism is debatable.

Objective:

To study the clinical and biochemical profile of patients with parathyroid adenoma-associated pancreatitis as well as the outcome following parathyroidectomy.

Methods:

The authors retrospectively studied the clinical and biochemical parameters of patients with acute, recurrent acute and chronic pancreatitis who underwent parathyroidectomy for parathyroid adenoma at Asian Institute of Gastroenterology, Hyderabad, India, between April 2010 and June 2016.

Results:

Of the total 3962 patients who presented with recurrent acute and chronic pancreatitis, 77 (1.94%) patients had parathyroid adenoma-associated pancreatitis and were included in this study for further analysis. Of these, 41 (53.2%) had recurrent acute pancreatitis and 36 (46.8%) had chronic pancreatitis. Serum calcium (12.4 ± 1.7 mg/dl) and parathyroid hormone levels (367 ± 286.4 pg/ml) were found to be elevated. Left inferior parathyroid adenoma (37.7%) was the most common finding on neck imaging. Patients with chronic pancreatitis had a longer disease duration (3.8 ± 5 years) and more pain episodes (10.7 ± 10.2) than those with recurrent acute pancreatitis (0.62 ± 0.7 years and 2.6 ± 2.7, respectively) (P = 0.0001). In all the patients, following parathyroidectomy, there was a significant decrease in serum calcium (12.4 ± 1.7 mg/dl vs. 9.7 ± 1.9 mg/dl; P = 0.0001) and serum parathyroid hormone levels (367 ± 286.4 pg/ml vs. 116.4 ± 47.1 pg/ml; P = 0.0001) as well as there was a reduction in the number of episodes and severity of pain.

Conclusions:

Estimating serum calcium after an episode of unexplained pancreatitis is important and can help minimize delay in diagnosing primary hyperparathyroidism, and possibly prevent the progression of pancreatitis. Parathyroidectomy improves the clinical outcome of primary hyperparathyroidism and prevents further attacks of pancreatitis.

Metabolic pancreatitis: Etiopathogenesis and management

Acute pancreatitis is a medical emergency. Alcohol and gallstones are the most common etiologies accounting for 60%-75% cases. Other important causes include postendoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography procedure, abdominal trauma, drug toxicity, various infections, autoimmune, ischemia, and hereditary causes. In about 15% of cases the cause remains unknown (idiopathic pancreatitis). Metabolic conditions giving rise to pancreatitis are less common, accounting for 5%-10% cases. The causes include hypertriglyceridemia, hypercalcemia, diabetes mellitus, porphyria, and Wilson's disease. The episodes of pancreatitis tend to be more severe. In cases of metabolic pancreatitis, over and above the standard routine management of pancreatitis, careful management of the underlying metabolic abnormalities is of paramount importance. If not treated properly, it leads to recurrent life-threatening bouts of acute pancreatitis. We hereby review the pathogenesis and management of various causes of metabolic pancreatitis.

The association of primary hyperparathyroidism with pancreatitis

The association between primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) and acute or chronic pancreatitis is controversial. For this reason, we conducted a review of the literature over the past 30 years to explore the relationship between these 2 disorders. Ten retrospective studies each with >50 patients diagnosed with PHPT were identified. With the notable exception of 2 studies, the rate of pancreatitis among patients with PHPT was higher than that reported in general among hospitalized patients without PHPT. A higher serum calcium level may contribute to pancreatitis in these cases, along with additional genetic or environmental insults. Hypercalcemia may predispose the pancreatic acinar cell to abnormal, sustained calcium levels, lead to premature pancreatic protease activation, and pancreatitis. Although there was only short-term follow-up, most reports cited that definitive treatment of PHPT by parathyroidectomy led to the resolution of pancreatitis attacks. The published cohorts of patients with PHPT and pancreatitis are subject to bias, because serum calcium screening was not universally performed among all control nonpancreatitis patients to evaluate for PHPT. However, the pooled clinical and experimental data suggest an association between PHPT and pancreatitis and implicate hypercalcemia. For clinicians, it is important to recognize pancreatitis in patients with PHPT and, conversely, to consider PHPT by checking serum calcium levels in patients, who present with an unexplained pancreatitis.

Acute necrotizing pancreatitis as first manifestation of primary hyperparathyroidism

We report the case of a female patient with severe acute necrotizing pancreatitis associated with hypercalcemia as first manifestation of primary hyperparathyroidism caused by a benign parathyroid adenoma. Initially the acute pancreatitis was treated conservatively. The patient subsequently underwent surgical resection of the parathyroid adenoma and surgical clearance of a large infected pancreatic pseudocyst. Although the association of parathyroid adenoma-induced hypercalcemia and acute pancreatitis is a known medical entity, it is very uncommon. The pathophysiology of hypercalcemia-induced acute pancreatitis is therefore not well known, although some mechanisms have been proposed. It is important to treat the provoking factor. Therefore, the cause of hypercalcemia should be identified early. Surgical resection of the parathyroid adenoma is the ultimate therapy.

Acute pancreatitis in primary hyperparathyroidism: a population-based study

CONTEXT

The association between acute pancreatitis and primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is controversial.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to address the incidence and disease characteristics of acute pancreatitis in PHPT from a large inception cohort of community residents.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Patients with acute pancreatitis were identified in an Olmsted County, Minnesota, cohort of PHPT subjects diagnosed from 1965-2001 and compared to matched control subjects.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The estimated rate of developing acute pancreatitis was calculated by person-years method. Cox models assessed the effect of PHPT disease status on the development of acute pancreatitis.

RESULTS

Of 684 patients with PHPT, 10 patients (1.5%) developed acute pancreatitis, compared to 32 of 1364 control patients (2.3%). The estimated rate of development of acute pancreatitis in PHPT was 114 per 100,000 person-years, compared to 140 per 100,000 person-years in control subjects (P = 0.56). The estimated hazard ratio of acute pancreatitis for PHPT relative to the control subjects was 0.84 (P = 0.89). The majority of subjects with PHPT and acute pancreatitis were women (n = 7), and the mean age was 70.6 yr at the time of acute pancreatitis. PHPT was present an average of 137 months before the development of acute pancreatitis, and contributing causes for acute pancreatitis were in identified in four patients. Maximal serum calcium levels in PHPT were not significantly associated with the development of acute pancreatitis.

CONCLUSIONS

Acute pancreatitis was not increased in community patients with PHPT, and therefore, there does not appear to be a causal relationship between PHPT and acute pancreatitis.

Pancreatitis risk in primary hyperparathyroidism: relation to mutations in the SPINK1 trypsin inhibitor (N34S) and the cystic fibrosis gene

OBJECTIVE

Primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT)-related hypercalcemia is considered to represent a risk factor for the development of pancreatitis. We therefore explored whether mutations in genes that were previously identified to increase the risk for pancreatitis coexist in a cohort of 826 patients with pHPT prospectively studied between 1987 and 2002.

METHODS

Among 826 patients with pHPT, 38 patients were identified with pancreatitis (4.6%). DNA was available from 25 patients (13 women/12 men, 16 acute pancreatitis/9 chronic pancreatitis). These individuals and 50 patients with pHPT without pancreatitis were analyzed for mutations in the serine protease inhibitor Kazal type I (SPINK1) gene (N34S) and the cationic trypsinogen gene (PRSS1) (N29I, R122H) by melting curve analysis and DNA sequencing. Sequence analysis of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene was carried out for the detection of 36 mutations and the Tn polymorphism.

RESULTS

Four of 25 patients with pHPT and pancreatitis carried the N34S missense mutation in the SPINK1 gene (16%), while all 50 controls (pHPT without pancreatitis) showed no mutation in SPINK1 or PRSS1 genes (P < 0.05 vs controls, P < 0.001 vs general population). CF-causing CFTR mutations were present in four patients (P < 0.05 vs general population), while one patient carried a 5T allele. One patient was transheterozygous (SPINK1: N34S/CFTR: R553X). Mean serum calcium levels in pancreatitis patients (3.1 mmol/L) did not differ significantly from the mean of the entire cohort (3.0 mmol/L) or pHPT patients without pancreatitis (3.1 mmol/L).

CONCLUSION

Pancreatitis risk is approximately 10-fold elevated in pHPT, but pancreatitis occurs infrequently. This indicates an existing but minor impact of pHPT-related hypercalcemia. If pancreatitis occurs, it seems associated with genetic risk factors such as mutations in the SPINK1 and CFTR genes. In contrast, a combination of both hypercalcemia and genetic variants in SPINK1 or CFTR increases the risk to develop pancreatitis in patients with pHPT.

Does hyperparathyroidism cause pancreatitis? A South Indian experience and a review of published work

BACKGROUND

The association between pancreatic disease and primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is controversial. We attempt to suggest a causal correlation and characterize the nature of pancreatic disease in PHPT.

METHODS

This study is a retrospective review of the medical records of patients who were diagnosed with PHPT and presented with pancreatic disease between 1 May 2000 and 30 May 2005 at Christian Medical College, Vellore.

RESULTS

During the period of 5 years, there were 1284 patients with pancreatic disease and 101 patients with PHPT admitted to our hospital, accounting for 0.42 and 0.03%, respectively, of the total hospital inpatient admissions of 302 883. Of them, 13 patients had both pancreatic disease and PHPT accounting for 1% of all admissions for pancreatic disease and 12% of admissions for PHPT. Patients admitted with PHPT have a 28-fold increased risk of developing pancreatitis compared with patients admitted without parathyroid disease. The ages of the patients ranged from 22 to 52 years with a median age of 37 years. There were 9 male and 4 female patients. The mean calcium values among patients with PHPT and pancreatic disease were significantly higher than patients with PHPT without pancreatic involvement.

CONCLUSION

The data suggest a causal association between the pancreatic disease and PHPT. This may be correlated to the higher calcium values. Until more information is available, it would be prudent to check serum calcium in all patients presenting with unexplained pancreatic disease.

Ectopic paraesophageal mediastinal parathyroid adenoma, a rare cause of acute pancreatitis

Background

The manifestation of primary hyperparathyroidism with acute pancreatitis is a rare event. Ectopic paraesophageal parathyroid adenomas account for about 5%–10% of primary hyperparathyroidism and surgical resection results in cure of the disease.

Case presentation

A 71-year-old woman was presented with acute pancreatitis and hypercalcaemia. During the investigation of hypercalcemia, a paraesophageal ectopic parathyroid mass was detected by computerized tomography (CT) scan and ^99mTc sestamibi scintigraphy. The tumor was resected via a cervical collar incision and calcium and parathormone tumor levels returned to normal within 48 hours.

Conclusions

Acute pancreatitis associated with hypercalcaemia should pose the suspicion of primary hyperparathyroidism. Accurate preoperative localization of an ectopic parathyroid adenoma, by using the combination of ^99mTc sestamibi scintigraphy and CT scan of the neck and chest allows successful surgical treatment.

A novel mutation of the calcium sensing receptor gene is associated with chronic pancreatitis in a family with heterozygous SPINK1 mutations

Background

The role of mutations in the serine protease inhibitor Kazal type 1 (SPINK1) gene in chronic pancreatitis is still a matter of debate. Active SPINK1 is thought to antagonize activated trypsin. Cases of SPINK1 mutations, especially N34S, have been reported in a subset of patients with idiopathic chronic pancreatitis. However, the inheritance pattern is still unknown. Some cases with N34S heterozygosity have been reported with and without evidence for CP indicating neither an autosomal recessive nor dominant trait. Therefore SPINK1 mutations have been postulated to act as a disease modifier requiring additional mutations in a more complex genetic model. Familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia (FHH) caused by heterozygous inactivating mutations in the calcium sensing receptor (CASR) gene is considered a benign disorder with elevated plasma calcium levels. Although hypercalcemia represents a risk factor for pancreatitis, increased rates of pancreatitis in patients with FHH have not been reported thus far.

Methods

We studied a family with a FHH-related hypercalcemia and chronic pancreatitis. DNA samples were analysed for mutations within the cationic trypsinogen (N29I, R122H) and SPINK1 (N34S) gene using melting curve analysis. Mutations within CASR gene were identified by DNA sequencing.

Results

A N34S SPINK1 mutation was found in all screened family members. However, only two family members developed chronic pancreatitis. These patients also had FHH caused by a novel, sporadic mutation in the CASR gene (518T>C) leading to an amino acid exchange (leucine->proline) in the extracellular domain of the CASR protein.

Conclusion

Mutations in the calcium sensing receptor gene might represent a novel as yet unidentified predisposing factor which may lead to an increased susceptibility for chronic pancreatitis. Moreover, this family analysis supports the hypothesis that SPINK1 mutations act as disease modifier and suggests an even more complex genetic model in SPINK1 related chronic pancreatitis.

Pancreatitis and primary hyperparathyroidism: forty cases

BACKGROUND

Pancreatitis is associated with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) in 1.5-7% of cases. The relationship of cause and effect between the two diseases has been debated.

METHODS

To evaluate this relationship, the clinical, biochemical and pathological data on 1435 patients operated on for hyperparathyroidism (HPT) over the past 30 years were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 1224 of these patients had biologically proven and cured PHPT and 211 patients had renal HPT (RHPT). The diagnosis of pancreatitis (PTS) was based on a high serum amylase level and/or abnormalities on ultrasound or computed tomography (CT) scan explorations. Only patients without biliary stones were included in the PTS group associated with HPT.

RESULTS

A total of 3.2% (n = 40) of patients with PHPT had PTS, which was acute in 18 cases, subacute in 8 cases and chronic in 14 cases. This rate of PTS is higher than in a random hospital population. Surgical cure of HPT was followed by the spontaneous healing of 17/18 acute PTS, whereas six of the 22 patients with subacute or chronic PTS developed complications due to the evolution of their disease (diabetes, pancreatic duct stenosis treated by surgery). A single diseased gland was found in 27 patients with PTS, which is in favour of primary parathyroid disease, being responsible for, and not a consequence of, PTS. Only the serum calcium (13.0 vs 12.1 g/dL) level was significantly increased in PHPT patients with PTS, when compared to those without PTS. The calcium level is probably of major importance in the development of PTS, which was never encountered in 211 patients with RHPT, who had low calcium and high PTH levels.

CONCLUSIONS

The data suggest that (i) the PTS-PHPT association is not incidental; (ii) PTS is the consequence and not the cause of PHPT; (iii) hypercalcaemia seems to be a major factor in the development of PTS in PHPT patients; and (iv) cure of PHPT leads to the healing of acute PTS, whereas it does not affect the evolution of subacute and chronic PTS.

[Bisalbuminemia disclosing primary hyperparathyroidism with fistulized pancreatic false cyst]

Discovery on a protein electrophoregram of a bisalbuminemia can orientate according to its migration fast or slow to an hereditary mutation of an amino acid, or an acquired form by excess of beta lactamines due to renal insufficiency or by the rupture of a pancreatic pseudocyst in the peritoneum. This is this late mechanism that we report in this case of bisalbuminemia related to an opened pancreatic pseudocyst secondary to an adenoma of the parathyroid gland.