Primary hyperparathyroidism in an elderly woman: surgical reversibility of profound mental state problems due to mild hypercalcaemia
✍ Scribed by C. Ann McDonald; David G. Bruce; David J. Smith
- Book ID
- 102229703
- Publisher
- John Wiley and Sons
- Year
- 2002
- Tongue
- English
- Weight
- 50 KB
- Volume
- 17
- Category
- Article
- ISSN
- 0885-6230
- DOI
- 10.1002/gps.648
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✦ Synopsis
Background:
Clinical case of primary hyperparathyroidism in an 89 year old woman causing profound neuropsychiatric symptoms associated with relatively mild increases in serum calcium levels.
Objectives:
To demonstrate that lowering of serum calcium levels by medical treatment (biphosphonate), provided a scientific basis from which to treat a very elderly woman with neuropsychiatric symptoms with definitive surgery.
Method:
Case report.
Results:
The use of biphosphonate therapy led to marked but temporary improvements in her mental state.
Conclusion:
A trial of reducing serum calcium levels with biphosphonate appears to be indicated in elderly patients with mild primary hyperparathyroidism and neuropsychiatric disorders.