A rare case of hypercalcemia-induced pancreatitis in a first trimester pregnant woman

A rare lethal case of severe acute necrotizing pancreatitis due to a parathyroid adenoma in a third-trimester pregnant woman

BACKGROUND

Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT), which is mostly caused by a parathyroid adenoma, is fairly common in postmenopausal women but is relatively rare in pregnant women. PHPT-induced pancreatitis during pregnancy is associated with significant maternal and foetal morbidity and mortality. Diagnosis is challenging because of non-specific symptoms and changes in maternal calcium homeostasis. Information about the optimal treatment strategy for the prevention of catastrophic consequences to the mother and foetus is limited. Here, we describe a rare lethal case of severe acute necrotizing pancreatitis due to a parathyroid adenoma in a woman in her third trimester of pregnancy.

CASE PRESENTATION

A previously healthy 24-year-old Chinese woman at 37 weeks of gestation presented with persisting epigastric pain, nausea and bilious vomiting for 1 day. PHPT-induced acute necrotizing pancreatitis was diagnosed on the basis of her serum calcium, parathyroid levels and imaging results. A caesarean section and parathyroidectomy were performed at 1 day and 11 days after admission, respectively. Histological examination confirmed a right inferior parathyroid adenoma with a size of 2.0 × 1.5 cm. Following the parathyroidectomy, the patient had eucalcaemia and presented normal parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels. Although the foetus was normal, the patient died of multiple organ failure due to severe pancreatitis.

CONCLUSIONS

PHPT-induced acute necrotizing pancreatitis is a rare clinical entity and life-threatening condition to both the mother and the foetus during pregnancy. Early diagnosis can be challenging and is crucial. Appropriate treatment according to the patient's condition may effectively reduce maternal and foetal mortality.

A RARE CASE OF PRIMARY HYPERPARATHYROIDISM, HYPEREMESIS GRAVIDARUM, AND WERNICKE ENCEPHALOPATHY

Objective

To describe a rare case of Wernicke encephalopathy (WE) as a result of hyperemesis gravidarum due to primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) in pregnancy.

Methods

We present the clinical presentation, supportive laboratory values, diagnostic dilemmas, treatment, clinical outcome, and supportive literature review of a patient with WE as a result of hyperemesis gravidarum due to PHPT in pregnancy.

Results

A 27-year-old previously healthy G1P0 female presented with initial symptoms of right upper-quadrant pain, nausea, vomiting, and paresthesias at 17.3 weeks of gestation. The patient later developed neurologic symptoms including acute encephalopathy, ataxia, and intranuclear ophthalmoplegia. The suspicion for WE was confirmed with characteristic findings on brain magnetic resonance imaging. WE was attributed to severe malnutrition from hyperemesis gravidarum and poor prenatal care. Hypercalcemia with an elevated parathyroid hormone level was identified following an unfortunate intrauterine fetal demise, raising suspicion for PHPT. PHPT was confirmed, and after undergoing successful parathyroidectomy, the patient regained normal neurologic function, with the exception of mild lower-extremity paresthesias.

Conclusion

This case is an example where early recognition and treatment of hyperparathyroidism can be masked by severe malnutrition and present in an unusual way with neurologic symptoms of WE. Early recognition and suspicion are critical in preventing poor fetal outcomes and long-term consequences.