J Korean Soc Endocrinol.  2002 Aug;17(4):583-588.

A Case of Metastatic Pulmonary Calcification in Primary Hyperparathyroidism

• Lee KE
• Kim HJ
• Lee SH
• Bae SW
• Kang ES
• Chung HW
• Seo HS
• Kim DJ
• Chung SS
• Kim SJ
• Song YD
• Lim SK

Abstract

Metastatic calcification is the deposition of calcium, in previously normal tissue, as a result of elevated plasma calcium and phosphorus product levels and has been reported in patients with parathyroid adenoma, parathyroid carcinoma, hyperparathyroidism due to chronic renal failure, vitamin D intoxication, and osteolytic bone tumors, such as multiple myelomas. The lungs are the most common site of metastatic calcification. We have experienced metastatic pulmonary calcification in a case of primary hyperparathyroidism. A 55-year old woman was admitted due to general weakness. From the laboratory evaluation, hypercalcemia and excess production of parathyroid hormone (PTH) were noted. technetium-99m-labelled sestamibi scintigraphy indicated an intense uptake in the lower pole area of the left thyroid gland, suggestive of a parathyroid adenoma. A technetium-99m phosphate (99mTc-MDP) bone scan showed increased uptakes in both lungs. A parathyroid lobectomy was performed, and primary hyperparathyroidism, due to a parathyroid adenoma, was finally diagnosed. A follow-up 99mTc-MDP bone scan showed the disappearance of the metastatic pulmonary calcification, with the clinical symptoms and biochemical parameters normalizing after 6 months.

MeSH Terms

Calcium
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Hypercalcemia
Hyperparathyroidism
Hyperparathyroidism, Primary*
Kidney Failure, Chronic
Lung
Middle Aged
Multiple Myeloma
Parathyroid Hormone
Parathyroid Neoplasms
Phosphorus
Plasma
Radionuclide Imaging
Technetium Tc 99m Medronate
Thyroid Gland
Vitamin D
Calcium
Parathyroid Hormone
Phosphorus
Technetium Tc 99m Medronate
Vitamin D