Pseudogout Attack Associated with Parathyroidectomy

Abstract

We reported a patient with pseudogout associated with parathyroidectomy. A 68-year-old woman, diagnosed with primary hyperparathyroidism, presented with serum concentrations of ionized calcium. Patients with hypercalcemia have a high incidence of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystal deposition into joints. Rapid drops in serum calcium levels can cause shedding of these crystals into synovial fluid which may precipitate acute attacks of pseudogout. Furthermore, the patient has diabetes mellitus. Diabetes mellitus inhibits insorption of magnesium which may cause high incidence of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystal deposition into joints, too. It has been well established that acute attacks of pseudogout may be precipitated by parathyroidectomy and/or diabetes mellitus.