Bone involvement in primary hyperparathyroidism

Abstract

Symptomatic bone disease is not usual in primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). Increased awareness of the various manifestations of the disease may lead to earlier diagnosis before devastating and irreparable effects have occurred. Our aim was to review skeletal manifestations of PHPT as an important presentation of the disease.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: We reviewed archives at our institution (2000-2006) searching for cases of PHPT with bone disease being the initial or main clinical manifestation. Clinical and laboratory data, radiological features and outcome were registered. Based on this information, we carried out a review.

RESULTS: We found three cases with these inclusion criteria. In all of them, the initial bone manifestation was a fracture; however, everyone had suffered from unspecific systemic manifestations for several months or years. Other bone alterations were: multiple osteoblastic lesions, spine deviation, finger deformity, bone pain, decreased bone mineral density, and brown tumor. Extra-skeletal manifestations in our cases included: gastrointestinal alterations, neurological symptoms, weight loss and depressed mood. In all cases a parathyroid adenoma was detected.

CONCLUSIONS: Although infrequent, bone disease in PHPT involves multiple sites and usually is associated with unspecific extra-skeletal manifestations that permit to suspect the diagnosis. Serum calcium determination may lead to the correct diagnosis.