Unusual hypocalcaemia in breast cancer relapse with multiple bone metastasis

Severe hypocalcaemia in breast cancer with bone metastasis is a rare finding usually associated with an advanced stage of the disease. We report a case of a 45-year-old woman with a history of local ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast, who presented with muscle tremors and general weakness. Hypocalcaemia was evident, with a positive Chvostek sign and a serum calcium level of 5.9 mg/dL (1.47 mmol/L), phosphorus 5.9 mg/dL (normal range: 2.3–4.7 mg/dL) with normal levels of albumin, magnesium and parathyroid hormone. High oral doses of alpha calcitriol and calcium with i.v. infusion of high calcium doses were instituted, altogether sufficient to maintain only mild hypocalcaemia. A whole-body CT revealed bone lesions along the axial skeleton. A biopsy from a bone lesion revealed a metastasis of breast carcinoma. With this pathological finding, leuprolide (GNRH analogue) and chlorambucil (alkylating agent) were initiated, followed by prompt tapering of infused calcium down to full discontinuation. Serum calcium was kept stable close to the low normal range by high doses of oral alpha calcitriol and calcium. This course raises suspicion that breast metastases to the skeleton caused tumour-induced hypocalcaemia by a unique mechanism. We assume that hypocalcaemia in this case was promoted by a combination of hypoparathyroidism and bone metastasis. Learning points Severe hypocalcaemia can a presenting symptom for breast cancer relapse.

EP.WE.190Post-operative Hypocalcaemia: Analysis of factors influencing and predicting hypocalcaemia post total thyroidectomy

Aims Hypocalcaemia is a severe complication post total thyroidectomy leading to increased morbidity, length of inpatient stay and associated costs. The leading cause is damage or de-vascularisation of the parathyroid glands intra-operatively however this is not always easy to identify and is usually inadvertently performed. Prompt identification of patients likely to become severely hypocalcaemia is difficult for clinicians but is of interest as timely management of hypocalcaemia in these patients is crucial to reduce length of stay and worsening/development of symptoms. Methods A retrospective audit of 42 patients who were admitted for a total thyroidectomy at a district general hospital was performed. Data was collected on demographics, indication, post-operative diagnosis and pre- and post- electrolyte levels and calcium supplementation. Results Eight patients were identified with severe hypocalcaemia post operatively. Age, indication, post-operative diagnosis or pre-operative electrolyte levels were not statistical significant predictors of post-operative hypocalcaemia. Percentage difference between pre and immediate post-operative calcium levels was a significant predictor of subsequent severe hypocalcaemia and increased length of inpatient stay (p < 0.05). Conclusions Reducing patient morbidity and length of stay is of crucial importance to clinicians and patients alike. Commonly post-operative calcium levels are interpreted independently to determine need of supplementation. However, using pre-operative calcium levels in conjunction with the immediate post-operative levels has lead to a better prediction of patients likely to suffer from this complication. We theorise that prospectively identifying these patients and starting treatment early as appropriate will lead to improved patient outcomes.

Severa ipocalcemia conseguente all’assunzione orale di citrato in un paziente in emodialisi cronica

We report a case of an 81-year-old man with end stage renal disease (ESRD) in chronic hemodialysis with severe hypocalcaemia secondary to the intake of a parapharmaceutical containing sodium and potassium citrate and in association with poor dialysis efficiency, due to malfunction of the vascular access, which promptly resolved after discontinuation of the supplement. The patient never showed signs or symptoms of hypocalcaemia. This case highlightens the importance of a correct pharmacological reconciliation in dialysis patients in order to avoid the onset of adverse events due to the uncontrolled intake of drugs or parapharmaceuticals.

Rhabdomyolysis and severe biphasic disturbance of calcium homeostasis secondary to COVID-19 infection

We report a case of severe hypercalcaemia secondary to rhabdomyolysis in a woman with COVID-19 (SARS CoV-2) infection. The patient presented with myalgia and anuria with an acute kidney injury requiring haemodialysis. Creatine kinase peaked at 760 000 IU/L. A biphasic calcaemic response was observed with initial severe hypocalcaemia followed by severe, symptomatic hypercalcaemia, persistent despite haemodialysis. Control of the calcium levels was achieved by continuous haemofiltration.

Severe hypocalcaemia in a COVID-19 female patient

Summary Comorbidities are a risk factor for patients with COVID-19 and the mechanisms of disease remain unclear. The aim of this paper is to present a case report of an COVID-19 patient with severe hypocalcaemia. This is a report of an 81-year-old female, suffered from myalgia and fatigue for more than 3–4 weeks. Fever and cough appear 2 days before she presented to the emergency room. On physical examination, she was febrile with a temperature of 38.8°C, accompanied by cough, sore throat, headache, fatigue, and muscle ache. Her past medical history was remarkable with no chronic disease. She had lymphopenia. Laboratory test revealed moderate liver dysfunction, hypoalbuminemia, and severe hypocalcaemia (serum corrected calcium level: 5.7 mg/dL). Parathyroid hormone (PTH) was 107.9 pg/mL (range: 15–65) and 25(OH)2D levels was 4.5 ng/mL (range: 25–80). Chest CT scan detected peripheral ground-glass opacity. Throat swab for coronavirus by RT-PCR assay tested positive for the virus. She was treated with lopinavir/ritonavir, third generation cephalosporin, anticoagulant, daily high-dose calcium acetate, vitamin D3, fresh frozen plasma and oxygen therapy. She was discharged after two negative throat swab tests for coronavirus by conventional RT-PCR. Learning points Comorbidities are a risk factor for patients with COVID-19. Laboratory findings are unspecific in COVID-19 patients; laboratory abnormalities include lymphopenia, elevated of LDH, CPK and the inflammatory markers, such as C reactive protein, ferritinemia and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate. In addition to inflammatory markers, in COVID-19 patients it is crucial to check the level of vitamin D and calcium. There may be a correlation between vitamin D deficiency and the severity of COVID-19 disease.

A Patient with speechlessness and rhabdomyolysis: a rare presentation of severe hypocalcaemia

A 29-year-old man with no medical history presented to our emergency department with episodes of sudden speechlessness, hoarseness, vomiting after drinking cold water and spasms of his hands. Chvostek’s and Trousseau’s signs were both seen at presentation. Blood tests revealed severe hypocalcaemia (1.03 mmol/L) and rhabdomyolysis (creatine kinase (CK) of 2962 IU/L). The patient was treated immediately with calcium intravenously with an almost immediate improvement of his voice and quick normalisation of his CK. Additional investigation showed primary hypoparathyroidism in the presence of a vitamin D deficiency, requiring lifelong treatment with calcium supplements and alphacalcidol. Severe hypocalcaemia can be life threatening and prompt treatment is essential. This case reports the unusual first presentation of hypocalcaemia via speechlessness and vomiting together with rhabdomyolysis. Identifying an atypical presentation of hypocalcaemia is critical, for it can be lifesaving.

Denosumab-induced severe hypocalcaemia in a patient with vitamin D deficiency

Postmenopausal women are at increased risk of osteoporosis. Osteoporotic fractures carry an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Denosumab is a monoclonal antibody widely used for the treatment of osteoporosis by inhibiting osteoclast-induced bone resorption. Hypocalcaemia is a known side-effect of denosumab treatment. The majority of such cases have been described in patients with underlying metastatic cancer or chronic kidney disease. We present a patient who developed severe hypocalcaemia after administration of denosumab in the context of severe vitamin D deficiency and a normal kidney function. The management was further complicated by hypophosphatemia. Following replacement of vitamin D, the patient’s calcium and phosphate levels stabilised. The patient required intensive care monitoring for replacement of electrolytes. This case report emphasises the importance of screening and ongoing monitoring of risk factors for iatrogenic hypocalcaemia with denosumab treatment.

Overdosage of Calcarea phosphorica causes severe hypocalcaemia in a toddler

A four-year-old girl presented with accidental ingestion of 200 tablets of Calcarea phosphorica. Although she was asymptomatic, she was found to have marked hypocalcaemia with a prolonged QTc interval on electrocardiogram. She was successfully treated with intravenous calcium, followed by oral maintenance.