Idiopathic Hypoparathyroidism Presenting with Erythrodermic Psoriasis and Fahr’s Syndrome: A Case Report

Abstract

Idiopathic hypoparathyroidism may remain asymptomatic or present with hypocalcaemic neuromuscular manifestations. Dermatological manifestations like exfoliative dermatitis, pustular psoriasis and symmetrical brain calcification known as Fahr’s syndrome are uncommon in clinical practice. Even in absence of neuromuscular symptoms, hypocalcaemia associated with exfoliative skin lesions and symmetrical brain calcification should prompt investigation for hypoparathyroidism. A 40-year-old male presented with diffuse erythematous pruritic plaques and fever of 10 days duration. Auspitz sign was positive on examination. Investigations showed leucocytosis with neutrophilic predominance. He was admitted with a diagnosis of erythrodermic psoriasis with secondary infection. On the second day of admission he developed an episode of generalised tonic clonic seizure for the first time. Investigations into the cause of seizure revealed low serum calcium while computerised tomography of head revealed symmetrical calcification of bilateral basal ganglia. Further, he was found to have a low level of intact Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) level and hyperphosphataemia. Based on clinical, biochemical and radiological findings, a diagnosis of idiopathic hypoparathyroidism, psoriasis and Fahr’s syndrome was made. Serum calcium was corrected with infusions of calcium gluconate followed by oral calcium carbonate. The patient was kept under observation for seizure recurrence. Calcium and vitamin D supplements and hydrochlorothiazide were started and psoriasis treatment was continued. His skin lesions resolved over the next two weeks, serum calcium levels returned to normal level and no seizure episodes were reported over three months of follow-up.

Keywords

• brain calcification
• dermatitis
• hypocalcaemia
• parathyroid hormone
• seizure