[Parathyroid crisis. Fatal course despite control of hypercalcemia with mithramycin]

A 73-year-old patient suddenly became confused and comatose due to excessive hypercalcemia. He developed acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and died even though the hypercalcemic state had been brought under control with mithramycin. Autopsy disclosed an adenoma of the parathyroid gland and calcifications in lung and kidney tissues as well as hyaline membranes. The case illustrates the poor prognosis of hyperparathyroid crisis whenever organ damage is present.