Multiple brown tumors—Forgotten pathology in times of calcimimetics: A case report and literature review

Abstract

Multiple brown tumors represent a rare variant of osteitis fibrosa cystica. Brown tumors are associated with primary, secondary, or tertiary hyperparathyroidism. Brown tumors have been reported in patients with chronic kidney disease resulting in mineral and bone disorders. Chronic kidney disease resulting in mineral and bone disorder is a result of increased osteoclast activity and excessive production of parathormone due to parathyroid gland hyperactivity. Brown tumors are frequently overlooked in patients with end-stage renal disease since calcimimetics and vitamin D analogs were introduced as pharmacological therapy for secondary hyperparathyroidism. We present a case of a 79 year-old pre-dialysis woman, with multiple brown tumors secondary to a parathyroid adenoma despite being treated with cinacalcet for secondary hyperparathyroidism. In addition, we review the corresponding literature.