Abdomen Groans: A Rare Cause of Pancreatitis

Abstract

Hyperparathyroidism and hypercalcaemia are considered to be a rare cause of acute pancreatitis. The relationship between hyperparathyroidism and pancreatic inflammatory disease remains controversial. (1) But it has been shown that surgical correction of parathyroid disease and normalization of serum calcium levels may ameliorate the acute pancreatitis. (2) A case of acute pancreatitis and hyperparathyroidism due to parathyroid gland hyperplasia occurred in a 51years-old woman is reported. After the excision of parathyroid gland the serum calcium levels and the function of the pancreas returned to normal. This suggests a cause and effect relationship between hyperparathyroidism and acute pancreatitis. (3)