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[Diagnosis: hyperparathyroidism simulating dementia].
Tijdschrift Voor Gerontologie En Geriatrie
|August 1, 1983
Summary
High serum calcium levels and elevated parathormone in a geriatric patient were linked to an undiagnosed parathyroid adenoma. Surgical removal of the adenoma resolved hypercalcemia and reversed dementia symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Medicine
- Endocrinology
- Neurology
Background:
- Dementia is a common diagnosis in geriatric patients, often associated with cognitive decline.
- Hypercalcemia, elevated serum calcium, can present with diverse neurological symptoms.
Observation:
- A geriatric patient admitted for dementia exhibited recurrently high serum calcium levels.
- Laboratory tests revealed parathormone levels 15 times above normal.
- Neck CT scan identified a suspicious structure later confirmed as a parathyroid adenoma.
Findings:
- Surgical excision of the parathyroid adenoma led to normalization of serum calcium.
- The patient's dementia symptoms significantly improved and resolved post-operatively.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of investigating hypercalcemia in geriatric patients presenting with dementia.
- Parathyroid adenoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of dementia with unexplained hypercalcemia.
- Timely diagnosis and surgical intervention can reverse cognitive impairment caused by hypercalcemia.