Primary hyperparathyroidism in a child: The musculoskeletal manifestations of a late presenting rare endocrinopathy

Abstract

Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is rare in children and adolescents, but has greater morbidity in this age group. Most of these patients show predominantly skeletal pathology and to a lesser extent renal involvement. Osteopenia, osteoporosis and subperiosteal resorption are frequently encountered radiographic skeletal signs. This study describes the orthopedic manifestations of PHPT in a child. PHPT in this child exhibited a late presentation with significant clinical morbidity and extensive radiographic manifestations. The characteristic radiographic pattern of PHPT in childhood is an important contributor to the diagnosis. The radioclinical and biochemical correlations augment diagnostic accuracy and delineate extent of skeletal pathology.

Keywords

• Pathological fractures
• Orthopedic
• Pediatric hypercalcemia
• Metabolic endocrinal bone disease
• Skeletal imaging
• Pediatric osteoporosis