Primary hypoparathyroidism presenting as basal ganglia calcification secondary to extreme hypocalcemia

Autor: Edite Marques Mendes, Lúcia Meireles-Brandão, Carla Meira, Nuno Morais, Carlos Ribeiro, Diana Guerra
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2018
Předmět:
Zdroj: Clinics and Practice, Vol 8, Iss 1 (2018)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 2039-7275
2039-7283
DOI: 10.4081/cp.2018.1007
Popis: Hypoparathyroidism is a rare endocrine disorder characterized by low serum calcium and parathyroid hormone levels. The most common cause is parathyroid iatrogenic surgical removal. However, innumerous and rarer conditions can cause hypoparathyroidism. The authors describe a 27-year-old man that presented in emergency department with confusion, amnesia and decreased attention span. A cerebral computed tomography revealed bilateral extensive calcification in the basal ganglia. A complete work-up revealed low serum calcium, high serum phosphorus and low parathyroid hormone, leading to the diagnosis of idiopathic primary hypoparathyroidism. Initial intravenous therapy with calcium gluconate and calcitriol was administered, with clinical and analytical improvement. The authors describe a rare condition, with an exuberant cerebral presentation and extreme hypocalcemia, which did not directly correlate to the severity of symptoms. Not only this is a treatable disorder that may have catastrophic results if overlooked but also its symptoms may be completely reversed with prompt treatment.
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