Korean J Nephrol.
2008 Sep;27(5):589-593.
The Case of Successful Treatment of Severe Hypercalcemia by Percutaneous Ethanol Injection Therapy in a Renal Transplant Recipient with Hyperparathyroidism
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Internal Medicine, Kangnam St. Marys Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea. yangch@catholic.ac.kr
- 2Department of Radiology, Kangnam St. Marys Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
Abstract
- Severe hypercalcemia due to persistent hyperparathyroidism after kidney transplantation causes serious medical complications. Medical or surgical treatment is recommended to decrease serum calcium level, but percutaneous ethanol injection therapy (PEIT) is an also useful method for patients who are refractory to medical treatment and under poor condition for parathyroidectomy. Here, we report a case of successful PEIT of refractory hypercalcemia in a 62-year old patient after kidney transplantation. This patient underwent PEIT because of poor general condition. Just after PEIT, serum calcium level was normalized and biointact PTH level was markedly decreased without serious complications. He has been followed up for 6 months without recur so far. PEIT may be recommended for treatment of sustained hypercalcemia in kidney-transplant patients who are refractory to medical treatment or in poor condition for surgical treatment.
