Acute hypercalcemic crisis

Although hypercalcemia may be caused by extraparathyroid disease and controlled with various medications, acute hypercalcemic crisis is a surgical emergency. All nonperative measures are directed toward diagnosis of hyperparathyroidism and preparation for operation. Parathyroidectomy is indicated even in the absence of definite evidence of a functioning parathyroid tumor in patients when nonoperative methods fail. Prompt medical therapy and timely surgical intervention will result in success in the vast majority of patients with hypercalcemic crises.