Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 28, 2026

Author Spotlight: Understanding the Effect of Herbal-Cake-Separated Moxibustion in Rats with Renal Faliure
Published on: December 22, 2023
Ileal Tuberculosis Causing Hypercalcemia and Renal Failure
K Vinod Kumar1, V N Unni1, N Kachare2
1Department of Nephrology, Aster Medcity, Kochi, Kerala, India.
Abstract:
Hypercalcemia rarely causes acute pancreatitis due to secretory block in the pancreas and damage by accumulated proteases. Hypercalcemia, though described in granulomatous disorders, is uncommon in tuberculosis. Acute kidney injury is known to occur with acute pancreatitis, secondary to sepsis and septic shock; however, acute pancreatitis resulting in acute cortical necrosis is very rare. We report a 22-year-old woman, who presented with pain abdomen and vomiting. She was found to have features of acute pancreatitis, both biochemically and radiologically. She had hypercalcemia on presentation and this was attributed to be the cause for pancreatitis as other causes were ruled out. 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D level was high with normal parathyroid hormone level. Whole-body positron emission tomography-computed tomography showed increased fluorodeoxyglucose uptake in the terminal ileum and histology from that area showed noncaseating granuloma with acid-fast bacilli in the tissue. She was treated with antituberculosis therapy; hypercalcemia improved over a period of time and pancreatitis resolved. She developed anuric renal failure, and kidney biopsy showed patchy acute cortical necrosis. She is dialysis dependent at the end of 6 months. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of a patient with ileal tuberculosis presenting with hypercalcemia and acute pancreatitis. This case is reported due to the rarity of extrapulmonary tuberculosis presenting with symptomatic hypercalcemia, acute pancreatitis, and acute renal cortical necrosis.
Related Concept Videos
Renal Failure: Dose Adjustments
Reduced renal clearance and elimination rate are common outcomes of renal impairment. These alterations lead to a prolonged elimination half-life and an altered apparent volume of distribution for drugs. As a result, dosage adjustments are typically necessary to maintain optimal drug levels in the body.
However, dosage adjustments...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis I
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis II
Here is a detailed explanation of its pathophysiology:
Transmission: The process begins when a person inhales droplet nuclei containing M. tuberculosis. These are typically released into the air when an individual with pulmonary or...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis V
Latent tuberculosis infection occurs when TB bacteria are present in a person's body, but are not causing illness or symptoms. It is not contagious, and preventive treatment is crucial to avoid the...
Factors Affecting Renal Clearance: Renal Impairment
One condition associated with renal failure is uremia. Uremia is characterized by impaired glomerular filtration and fluid accumulation in the body. This condition hinders the renal clearance of drugs, resulting in drug accumulation and potential...
Renal Corpuscle
Glomerulus: Structure and Function
The glomerulus is a tiny, intricate network of capillaries located at the beginning of the nephron. It's enveloped by the Bowman's capsule and receives its blood supply from an afferent arteriole, which divides into numerous...

