Nephrotic syndrome from hypercalcemia in a patient with primary hyperparathyroidism

The nephrotic syndrome developed in a 47-year-old woman in association with severe hypercalcemia (23.5 mg/dl) from primary hyperparathyroidism. Other causes for hypercalcemia were sought and were not found. The nephrotic syndrome remitted spontaneously within two weeks of normalization of the serum calcium level. Kidney biopsy specimens showed deposition of electron-dense material, thought to be calcium, in the glomerular basement membranes initially and in the mesangium as well six months later.