Acute primary hyperparathyroidism

Acute primary hyperparathyroidism is an unusual form of primary hyperparathyroidism characterized by life-threatening hypercalcemia. Forty-three cases reported in the literature since 1974 are reviewed, along with five new cases. The average age of the patients was 55 (27 to 82), with an even distribution between men and women. Marked hypercalcemia (17.5 +/- 2.1 mg/dl) was accompanied by parathyroid hormone levels 20 times normal. Virtually all patients had symptoms. Hyperparathyroid bone disease occurred in 53 percent of patients; even more (69 percent) had nephrolithiasis or nephrocalcinosis. Combined renal and skeletal involvement was seen in 50 percent. Only three deaths were recorded. The pathophysiology of the acute hyperparathyroid state is unknown but appears to consist of uncontrolled parathyroid hormone secretion followed by cycles of hypercalcemia, polyuria, dehydration, reduced renal function, and worsening hypercalcemia. These features of acute primary hyperparathyroidism are compared with the features reported in the literature antedating multichannel screening, and with the features of the common form of primary hyperparathyroidism. Clinical guidelines by which the diagnosis may be suspected are also reviewed.