A case of normocalcemic primary hyperparathyroidism with osteomalacia

A 59 year-old patient had lumbago and pain in hip joints, knees, and ribs of long duration. Severe hypophosphatemia and high serum ionized calcium were found in spite of normal level of total serum calcium. The serum parathyroid hormone and alkaline phosphatase levels were elevated, and diffuse demineralization of the bones and renal stones were found by x-ray examination. Parathyroid adenoma was diagnosed from the subtraction image of the 99mTc O-4 and 201Tl-Cl2 scintigrams. Osteomalacia was demonstrated by bone biopsy at the right iliac crest. A right lower parathyroid adenoma of 2.0 X 1.8 cm, weighing 4.0 g was removed. The long standing phosphate depletion and hypophosphatemia, due to hyperparathyroidism causing renal damage with nephrocalcinosis and reduced synthesis of active vitamin D, and milk tolerance due to gastroduodenostomy were probably responsible for producing the clinical picture of normocalcemic hyperparathyroidism complicated with osteomalacia.