Abstract
A rare case of parathyroid carcinoma associated with hyperparathyroidism and hungry bone syndrome following parathyroidectomy is reported. The patient was a 45-year-old woman presenting with a lower cervical mass. Her symptoms seemed to be typical for parathyroid carcinoma, exemplified by a high level of serum calcium and serum parathyroid hormone, a large cervical mass and pain in the knee joints. Surgical excision of the tumor together with dissection of the neighboring tissues resulted in hungry bone syndrome (HBS), a severely low level of serum calcium which required administration of a large amount of calcium and vitamin D for a prolonged period. The occurrence of HBS is due to increased bone metabolism, and is a relatively rare phenomenon following parathyroidectomy. HBS is predictable based on high preoperative levels of serum calcium, parathyroid hormone, and alkali phosphatase. Both early diagnosis and treatment can reduce the morbidity of parathyroid carcinoma and HBS.
