Indian Journal of Critical Care Case Report

Register      Login

VOLUME 3 , ISSUE 3 ( May-June, 2024 ) > List of Articles

CASE REPORT

Unraveling the Enigma: Pulmonary Infarction, Lung Cavitation, and Hypercalcemia Induced by Parathyroid Adenoma

Ankit Bhatia, Sharad Joshi, Nitesh Tayal, Abhishek Gupta, Pawan Gupta

Keywords : Case report, Cavitation, Hypercalcemia, Parathyroid, Pulmonary embolism

Citation Information : Bhatia A, Joshi S, Tayal N, Gupta A, Gupta P. Unraveling the Enigma: Pulmonary Infarction, Lung Cavitation, and Hypercalcemia Induced by Parathyroid Adenoma. 2024; 3 (3):68-70.

DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-11006-0109

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

Published Online: 03-05-2024

Copyright Statement:  Copyright © 2024; The Author(s).


Abstract

We present an uncommon case involving a 69-year-old male with an array of seemingly unrelated features of lung cavitation, acute pulmonary embolism with infarction, and hypercalcemia. The investigations unveiled an underlying cause: a parathyroid adenoma, triggering a cascade of events culminating in lung cavitation. Pulmonary infarction arising from pulmonary embolism is a rare complication due to the lung's dual blood supply. Hypercalcemia, typically associated with conditions like primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) and malignancy, can rarely lead to thrombosis, though the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. The case study describes an instance of acute pulmonary embolism with pulmonary infarction, presenting as lung cavitation, ultimately traced back to parathyroid adenoma-induced hypercalcemia. The patient underwent a successful parathyroidectomy, leading to normal calcium levels and a favorable outcome during follow-up. This case underscores the importance of hypercalcemia in the evaluation of thrombotic events and highlights the need for further research to elucidate the intriguing link between calcium and thrombosis.


PDF Share
  1. Scharf J, Nahir AM, Munk J, et al. Aseptic cavitation in pulmonary infarction. Chest 1971;59:456–458.
  2. Ariyan CE, Sosa JA. Assessment and management of patients with abnormal calcium. Crit Care Med 2004;32(4 Suppl):S146–S154. DOI: 10.1097/01.ccm.0000117172.51403.af
  3. Rajagopala S, Devaraj U, D'Souza G. Infected cavitating pulmonary infarction. Respir Care 2011;56(5):707–709. DOI: 10.4187/respcare.00828
  4. Teng E, Bennett L, Morelli T, et al. An unusual presentation of pulmonary embolism leading to infarction, cavitation, abscess formation and bronchopleural fistulation. Case Reports 2018;2018:bcr-2017.
  5. Hilgard P. Experimental hypercalcaemia and whole blood clotting. J Clin Pathol 1973;26(8):616–619. DOI: 10.1136/jcp.26.8.616
  6. Bilezikian JP, Silverberg SJ. Clinical practice. Asymptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism. N Engl J Med 2004;350(17):1746–1751. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMcp032200
  7. Riyaz S, Tymms J. Hypercalcemia: a rare cause of cerebral infarction. Cent Eur J Med 2008;3(4):514–516. DOI: 10.2478/s11536-008-0046-6
  8. Siesjo B. The role of calcium in cell death. Price DL, Thoenen H, Aguayo AJ, editors. Neurodegenerative disorders; mechanisms and prospects for therapy. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons Ltd; 1991. pp. 35–59.
PDF Share
PDF Share

© Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (P) LTD.