Journal of Investigative Medicine High Impact Case Reports (Feb 2021)

A Rare Triad: Hypercalcemia-Induced Necrotizing Pancreatitis Presenting as Severe Diabetic Ketoacidosis

  • Krystal Mills MD,
  • Judith Aniekwena MD,
  • Tiffany Cochran MD,
  • Echezona Nsofor MD,
  • Nicolas Bakinde MD

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/2324709621998477
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 9

Abstract

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Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) typically occurs in persons above 45 years, with a female predominance. PHPT induces a state of hypercalcemia, but acute pancreatitis is a rare sequelae of this hypercalcemia. We report a case of a 31-year-old man with no known medical history who presented in diabetic ketoacidosis with electrolyte abnormalities. His clinical course progressed to multi-organ dysfunction despite correction of metabolic derangements. Further workup led to the discovery of the uncommon triad by which previously undiagnosed PHPT precipitated severe diabetic ketoacidosis.