Cortisone Responsive Hypercalcemia in Proved Hyperparathyroidism

Abstract

In the present study, a patient who was subsequently proved to have a parathyroid adenoma evidenced a prompt return of the evelated serum calcium level to normal coincident with the administration of hydrocortisone, 15 mg every 8 hours over a 5 day period. The serum calciums ranged between 10.5 and 11 mg. per 100 ml. (10.5 mg per 100 ml is the top normal value in our laboratory) preceding the period of hydrocortisone administration. Following this period, the serum calciums ranged between 9.4 and 9.9 mg per 100 ml. until after the removal of the parathyroid adenoma when the serum calcium values returned from 8.0 mg per 100 ml. on the first postoperative day to the normal range over a five day period.