Coexisting Hyperparathyroidism And Paget's Disease

Abstract

Since Paget's disease and hyperparathyroidism, once considered manifestations of the same metabolic disorder ¹ were identified as distinct entities ² there have been less than a dozen reports in the literature of the simultaneous occurrence of the two conditions. The presence of hyperparathyroidism in an elderly subject with osteitis deformans manifesting similar radiologic and microscopic appearances³ may not be apparent, and the diagnosis may be overlooked unless the possible coexistence of the two bone disorders is entertained. Recognition of hyperparathy- roidism is the more important because of its potentially dangerous yet curable nature. The case to be presented illustrates this problem in a 72-year-old male with "typical Paget's disease." Laboratory evaluation suggested the simultaneous presence of hyperparathyroidism which was confirmed by the identification of a parathyroid adenoma at surgery. Report of Case A 72-year-old Negro male minister entered the Veterans Administration Hospital, Washington, DC, on Oct 31, 1961, for