Primary hyperparathyroidism presenting as cervical myelopathy

Quadriplegia as a presenting syndrome in a case of primary hyperparathyroidism is reported. The clinical picture was misdiagnosed as a space-occupying lesion in the cervical spinal canal, for which an unnecessary laminectomy was performed. The neurologic deficits disappeared following the removal of a parathyroid adenoma. The neurologic presentations of hyperparathyroidism are reviewed and discussed.