BACKGROUND: Patients with permanent hypoparathyroidism experience an impaired quality of life, due to acute and chronic complications that may affect several organs, with an increased risk of hospitalisation and death. Adequate and continuous replacement therapy with calcium and calcitriol is necessary to avoid symptoms and long-term complications related to hypocalcemia.
METHODS: A 63 years old male, affected by permanent post-surgical hypoparathyroidism, was hospitalized in the cardiology department because of a dehiscence of the subcutaneous housing of the double-chambered implantable cardioverter-defibrillator. Chronic replacement therapy for hypoparathyroidism was poorly controlled and, during hospitalization, severe hypocalcemia occurred together with electrocardiographic and echocardiogram life-threatening alterations.
CONCLUSIONS: Constant and targeted long-term replacement therapy with calcium and particularly calcitriol is necessary to avoid major consequences on patients\' health, especially during acute events and in the presence of other comorbidities.

Pseudohypoparathyroidism (PHP) is a rare disorder characterized by convulsions, tetany, and sensory abnormalities caused by hypocalcemia due to parathyroid hormone (PTH) resistance. Only few patients present with involuntary movements. We report the case of a 7-yr-old girl with PHP and involuntary movements triggered by running. Initially, she was suspected of having paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia and was treated with carbamazepine (CBZ). Involuntary movements were reduced. However, 2 months post-treatment, she experienced convulsions during a fever. Blood tests and brain computed tomography revealed hypocalcemia, hyperphosphatemia, elevated intact PTH, and calcifications in the frontal cortex and basal ganglia. The patient showed no features of Albright\'s hereditary osteodystrophy. The involuntary movements disappeared after the discontinuation of CBZ and initiation of calcium and active vitamin D preparations. Methylation-specific multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification for the GNAS region and microsatellite analysis of chromosome 20 led to the diagnosis of PHP1B caused by epimutation. In 15 reported cases, with or without intracranial calcification, PHP-associated involuntary movements disappeared or became less severe with treatment for hypocalcemia; in eight of 11 cases, they were triggered by exercise or movement. PHP-associated hypocalcemia can trigger exercise-induced involuntary movements owing to lowered serum ionized calcium levels. In such patients, early blood tests are vital for the differential diagnosis of PHP.

BACKGROUND: Fahr syndrome is a rare, degenerative neurological condition characterized by bilateral idiopathic calcification of the periventricular region, especially the basal ganglia. This condition is often misdiagnosed as other neurological or psychiatric disorders due to its rarity and overlapping symptoms.
METHODS: A 34-year-old man had been experiencing seizures and cognitive dysfunction for few years, which were further compounded by slurred speech and motor difficulties as acute conditions.
METHODS: After investigations, severe hypocalcemia, and hypoparathyroidism were detected and his brain computed tomography showed extensive bilateral calcifications in basal ganglia, thalamus, dentate nuclei, and some parts of subcortical white matter, suggestive of Fahr syndrome. Although, the patient was initially misdiagnosed due to a lack of information and the rarity of this disease.
METHODS: The patient was treated with intravenous calcium gluconate, vitamin D3, l-ornithine l-aspartate syrup, and levetiracetam, replacing carbamazepine.
RESULTS: His symptoms, including slurred speech, muscle pain, and stiffness improved, serum calcium normalized, and he was discharged with medications for memory deficit and depression.
CONCLUSIONS: This case underscores the importance of raising awareness among physicians, especially in areas with limited medical resources, about the significance of prompt diagnosis and appropriate symptomatic treatment in enhancing patient prognosis and quality of life.

BACKGROUND: Thyroidectomy is a surgical procedure commonly employed in the management of thyroid disorders. Complications include, but not limited to, postoperative hypocalcemia. In order to effectively manage hypocalcemia following thyroidectomy, a comprehensive approach is essential.
METHODS: We present an intriguing case of a patient who developed severe transient hypocalcemia that was resistant to conventional therapeutic interventions following a total thyroidectomy.
CONCLUSIONS: Hypocalcemia post total thyroidectomy is a well-established complication which can lead to devastating consequences. Some of the contributing factors include failure of pre-operative optimization, autoimmune disease, malignancy, and prolonged surgical time. A comprehensive approach to identify the contributors is essential in managing the risk factors associated with hypocalcemia.
CONCLUSIONS: This case highlights the importance of pre-operative elevation and management as well as the close monitoring and individualized treatment plans for patients at risk for post-thyroidectomy hypocalcemia. The successful management of severe hypocalcemia in this patient involved a multidisciplinary team approach and consideration of alternative treatment options.

BACKGROUND: Patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) are at risk for severe hypocalcemia (SH) following parathyroidectomy (PTX), but limited data exist on the predictors of SH. We aimed to identify risk factors for early postoperative SH after PTX in patients with PHPT and to evaluate the predictive value of clinical parameters.
METHODS: A retrospective review of patients with PHPT who underwent PTX between January 2010 and December 2022 was performed. A total of 46 patients were included in the study, with 15 (32.6%) experiencing postoperative SH, 19 (41.3%) having calculi in the ureter or kidney, and 37 (80.4%) having osteoporosis. Patients were divided into SH and non-SH groups based on postoperative serum calcium levels. Preoperative biochemical indicators, bone turnover markers, and renal function parameters were analyzed and correlated with postoperative SH.
RESULTS: Statistically significant (P < 0.05) differences were found in preoperative serum calcium (serum Ca), intact parathyroid hormone, serum phosphorus (serum P), serum Ca/P, percentage decrease of serum Ca, total procollagen type 1 intact N-terminal propeptide, osteocalcin (OC), and alkaline phosphatase levels between the two groups. Multivariate analysis showed that serum P (odds ratio [OR] = 0.989; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 0.981-0.996; P = 0.003), serum Ca (OR = 0.007; 95% CI = 0.001-0.415; P = 0.017), serum Ca/P (OR = 0.135; 95% CI = 0.019-0.947; P = 0.044) and OC levels (OR = 1.012; 95% CI = 1.001-1.024; P = 0.036) were predictors of early postoperative SH. The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that serum P (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.859, P < 0.001), serum Ca/P (AUC = 0.735, P = 0.010) and OC (AUC = 0.729, P = 0.013) had high sensitivity and specificity.
CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative serum P, serum Ca/P and osteocalcin levels may identify patients with PHPT at risk for early postoperative SH after PTX.

This case report delves into the rare occurrence of hyperventilation syndrome (HVS) with hypocalcemia in an 18-year-old female diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The rare occurrence highlights the importance of recognizing the potential association between HVS, hypocalcemia, and ASD, emphasizing the need for comprehensive evaluation and management strategies in individuals with ASD presenting with unusual symptoms. Despite ongoing psychotherapeutic treatment, the patient\'s clinical examination revealed ASD-related communication anomalies. Treatment with Escitalopram resolved panic attacks but left residual anxiety. During an emergency room visit for menstrual-related abdominal pain, a hyperventilation crisis ensued, leading to respiratory alkalosis and hypocalcemia. Swift intervention, including closed mask ventilation and electrolyte infusion, successfully alleviated symptoms. Follow-up assessments indicated normal thyroid function and vitamin D levels. The case highlights the necessity for clinicians to consider electrolyte imbalances in anxiety attacks among ASD patients, emphasizing the importance of timely management for patient safety. The intricate interplay between hyperventilation syndrome, anxiety, and hypocalcemia in ASD patients is explored, offering valuable insights for the nuanced understanding and comprehensive assessment of such cases.

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BACKGROUND: Pamidronate is used for the treatment of hypercalcemia. However, a rare but potential adverse event of pamidronate treatment is hypocalcemia. This report describes an unusual case of severe, irreversible hypocalcemia after a single injection of pamidronate for the treatment of hypercalcemia due to glucocorticoid withdrawal in a dog.
METHODS: An 11-year-old castrated male Maltese dog presented with anorexia, vomiting, and diarrhea (day 0). The patient had calcinosis cutis throughout the body, calcification of intraabdominal organs, mild azotemia, and severe hypercalcemia. The severe calcification was attributed to long-term glucocorticoid administration, which was discontinued 1 month before presentation. Fluid therapy, diuretics, calcitonin, and a single intravenous injection of pamidronate were used for the treatment of hypercalcemia. On day 14, normocalcemia was achieved, but renal failure occurred. On day 20, severe and irreversible hypocalcemia occurred, and on day 42, the patient was euthanized at the owner\'s request because of worsened hypocalcemia and renal failure.
CONCLUSIONS: Although hypocalcemia is an extremely rare adverse event of bisphosphonate treatment, bisphosphonates like pamidronate can result in potentially life-threatening conditions according to the patient\'s underlying conditions. Therefore, the patient\'s condition should be closely monitored and any underlying conditions should be carefully evaluated before initiating the treatment for hypercalcemia using pamidronate.

Rickets is a paediatric bone disorder characterised by defective mineralisation of bony matrix due to abnormalities in calcium and phosphate metabolism. Despite being a common disease globally, literature on the anaesthetic concerns in rickets are scant. Herein, we describe the management of a 12-year-old child with symptomatic vitamin D deficiency rickets with secondary hyperparathyroidism, undergoing general anaesthesia for an urgent orthopaedic procedure. There are numerous risks involved in such a case, such as hypocalcemia, hypophosphatemia, chest and vertebral deformities, restrictive lung disease, difficult intubation and weaning, difficult regional anaesthesia, chronic bone pain, infectious complications and postoperative decreased renal function, all of which require careful preoperative assessment and risk stratification. In elective surgeries, it is important to optimise the metabolic parameters before taking up the case. However, in urgent and emergent procedures like ours, it is imperative to take up the case after informing the parents of the risks involved.

BACKGROUND: Hypocalcaemia is a rare, but reversible, cause of dilated cardiomyopathy causing heart failure. Several case reports have been reported on reversible cardiomyopathy secondary to hypocalcaemia.
METHODS: We report a case of 54-year-old female Sri Lankan patient who presented with shortness of breath and was diagnosed with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction due to dilated cardiomyopathy. The etiology for dilated cardiomyopathy was identified as hypocalcemic cardiomyopathy, secondary to primary hypoparathyroidism, which was successfully treated with calcium and vitamin D replacement therapy.
CONCLUSIONS: This adds to literature of this rare cause of reversible cardiomyopathy secondary to hypocalcemia reported from the South Asian region of the world. This case highlights the impact of proper treatment improving the heart failure in patients with hypocalcemic cardiomyopathy.