Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 4, 2026

Echocardiographic Assessment Using Subxiphoid-Only Examination for Hypotensive Patients
Published on: April 18, 2025
Severe hypocalcaemia as a cause of seemingly idiopathic bilateral lower limb oedema
1Independent, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
The existing scientific literature has not drawn a link between severe hypocalcaemia and its role in recalcitrant peripheral oedema. This phenomenon is particularly relevant in oncological and geriatric medicine as bone strengthening but serum calcium-lowering agents such as bisphosphonates and denosumab are used for osteoporosis and/or bone metastasis. This case report, through metastatic prostate cancer in a 66-year-old man with bone metastasis being treated with a monoclonal antibody denosumab, proposes the mechanism of hypocalcaemic oedema as being akin to calcium deprivation such as those induced by calcium channel antagonism. It demonstrates the importance of calcium supplementation as a concurrent treatment while patients are on these osteoclast inhibiting agents.
The existing scientific literature has not drawn a link between severe hypocalcaemia and its role in recalcitrant peripheral oedema. This phenomenon is particularly relevant in oncological and geriatric medicine as bone strengthening but serum calcium-lowering agents such as bisphosphonates and denosumab are used for osteoporosis and/or bone metastasis. This case report, through metastatic prostate cancer in a 66-year-old man with bone metastasis being treated with a monoclonal antibody denosumab, proposes the mechanism of hypocalcaemic oedema as being akin to calcium deprivation such as those induced by calcium channel antagonism. It demonstrates the importance of calcium supplementation as a concurrent treatment while patients are on these osteoclast inhibiting agents.
Related Concept Videos
Chronic Kidney Disease II: Clinical Manifestations
Diabetic Ketoacidosis ll: Pathophysiology
Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation
Nephrotic Syndrome I : Introduction
Skeleton and Calcium Homeostasis
Diabetic Ketoacidosis l: Introduction
