Splenic Abscess in Primary Hyperparathyroidism

Case Report

Austin J Clin Case Rep. 2015;2(2): 1072.

Splenic Abscess in Primary Hyperparathyroidism

N K Agrawal*, Naresh Bansal, Saket Kant, Anupam Kumar, Shruti Sharma, Ved Prakash, Jayshree Swain, Anand Kumar and S K Singh

Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism Institute of Medical Sciences Banaras Hindu University, India

*Corresponding author: Agrawal N K, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism Institute of Medical Sciences Banaras Hindu University, India

Received: September 04, 2014; Accepted: April 23, 2015; Published: May 15, 2015

Abstract

We report a case of a 46 yr old lady presenting with proximal muscle weakness and fractures on trivial trauma secondary to a parathyroid adenoma followed by acute renal failure. She was managed conservatively and underwent surgery for parathyroid adenoma. Post operatively, she later developed Hungry Bone Syndrome for which she was given Calcium along with Rocaltrol. She later developed a Splenic Abscess that was drained leading to complete recovery. This is a rare case report of Splenic abscess in a patient with primary hyperparathyroidism.

Keywords: Primary Hyperparathyroidism, Hypercalcemia, Hungry Bone Syndrome, Splenic Abscess

Case Summary

A 46 year-old lady was admitted to the hospital because of Primary Hyperparathyroidism. She was well, until about two years back, when she reported easy fatigability, Arthralgias involving both large and small joints and gradually progressive proximal muscle weakness with no associated swelling of the joints or neck swelling. Four months earlier she slipped while walking and fractured both her hips and hence reported to the hospital for the same. Laboratory studies were performed which revealed high serum calcium (14.3 mg%), low phosphorus levels (2.2 mg%) and raised alkaline phosphatise (2715IU/L) for which she was referred to endocrine section. Other parameters revealed pancytopenia (hemoglobin 8 g%, total leucocyte count 2600/cmm, platelet count 60,000/cmm, normocytic normochromic anaemia), normal liver and renal function tests and sonography of the abdomen. iPTH was found to be raised (1903 pg/ml). Ultrasound of the neck revealed hypoechoic oval soft tissue mass lesion posterior to right lobe of thyroid. She initially refused surgery and Cinacalcet was unaffordable but 2 months later she reported to the hospital with anasarca and decreased urine output. Investigations at that time revealed Anaemia (Hb 8.6 g%), Azotemia (Blood Urea 190 mg%, Serum Creatinine 5.4 mg%) and persistently raised serum calcium and low phosphorus. She recovered from acute renal failure following one session of Hemodialysis and appropriate intravenous fluids. Right Parathyroidectomy was done and during the post operative period, she developed clinical and biochemical features of hypocalcemia and hypophosphatemia. The postoperative albumin-adjusted serum calcium and phosphorus levels were 6.5 mg/dl (N, 8.5–10.2 mg/dl) and 3.0 mg/dl (N, 2.5–4.5 mg/dl), respectively (Hungry Bone Syndrome). iPTH was found to be 36.3 pg/ml with low 24hrs urinary calcium and phosphorus. She was treated with calcium gluconate along with Rocaltrol. Further during the course of hospitalisation she developed persistent unexplained breathlessness, tachypnoea and arterial blood gas analysis revealing metabolic acidosis. She developed minimal left sided pleural effusion and splenomegaly. Pleurocentesis was suggestive of exudative effusion with predominance of mesothelial cells. Ultrasonography and Computed tomographic scan of Chest and Abdomen revealed Pleural effusion and a large splenic abscess with no other significant abnormality. Her liver function tests, hepatitis serology, HIV test and work up for Tuberculosis were found to be negative. Two - D Echocardiography was normal and did not reveal any evidence of vegetations. She was managed with successful percutaneous drainage of the splenic abscess. Aspirated fluid from the abscess and blood cultures was sterile. She recovered completely and during follow up was found to have normal serum calcium and phosphorus levels.

Discussion

This patient, a diagnosed case of Primary Hyperparathyroidism with Parathyroid adenoma had presented with Pre renal acute renal failure following sepsis and dehydration. She improved with dialytic support and surgery for parathyroid adenoma. Later development of breathlessness with localised findings on chest examination and persistent metabolic acidosis was secondary to subsequent development of splenic abscess. Successful management of the splenic abscess by percutaneous drainage ameliorated the above findings,

Use of drugs like Rocaltriol has been documented to cause splenic abscess even in absence of predisposing causes like hemoglobinopathies [4,5], other hematologic disorders (eg, polycythemia vera [5], essential thrombocythemia [8], myeloid leukaemia, trauma, atrial fibrillation or infective endocarditis [3,7]. In the present case, rocaltrol was not given at time of development of features of splenic abscess. Pancytopenia seen in this case was secondary to marrow fibrosis which is known to occur in hyperparathyroidism [2]. Anemia in PHPT is multifactorial, and marrow fibrosis is one of the causes. The underlying mechanism of marrow fibrosis is likely to be related to elevated levels of intact PTH (iPTH). Leucopenia, thrombocytopenia and marrow fibrosis in patients with symptomatic PHPT improve after curative parathyroidectomy. There has only been one case report earlier of splenic abscess without any risk factors with Primary Hyperparathyroidism [1].

Table 1: Text here.





  

    
Laboratory    Data 

  

  

    
Date 

    
23/07/12

    
17/08/12

    
10/09/12

    
15/09/12

  

  

    
Hemoglobin 

    
8

    
9.1

    
9.0

    
9.8

  

  

    
Total Leucocyte Count 

    
2600

    
13,800

    
9600

    
7500

  

  

    
Differential Count 

    
P80L15

    
P78L15

    
P78L10

    
P65L24

  

  

    
Platelet 

    
60,000/cmm

    
2.12 lac

    
1.72 lac

    
3.1 lac

  

  

    
MCV 

    
77.1

    
 

    
 

    
 

  

  

    
Blood Urea 

    
146

    
50

    
41

    
22

  

  

    
Serum Creatinine 

    
4.01

    
1.4

    
1.4

    
1.2

  

  

    
Serum Calcium 

    
11.8

    
6.5

    
7.0

    
8.8

  

  

    
Serum Phosphorus 

    
3.6

    
1.95

    
1.8

    
3.5

  

  

    
Serum ALP 

    
1392

    
2923

    
876

    
 

  

  

    
Serum Albumin 

    
3-65g/dl

    
 

    
 

    
 

  

  

    
iPTH 

    
1903

    
36.3pg/ml

    
 

    
 

  

  

    
Ultrasound Abdomen 

    
Mild Hepato    splenomegaly renal parenchymal disease

    
 

    
Large Splenic    abscess

    
 

  

  

    
Ultrasound Neck 

    
Hypoechoic oval    mass posterior to right lobe of thyroid

    
 

    
 

    
 

  

  

    
CT Abdomen 

    
 

    
 

    
Large Splenic    abscess

    
 

  

  

    
2D ECHO 

    
 

    
 

    
Normal

    
 

  

  

    
Urinary Ca/P/Cr 

    
 

    
18 / 26 / 8.2

    
 

    
 

  










Table 1:  Text here.

Figure 1: CT Scan showing Splenic Abscess.

    

    
    

    

    Figure 1:  CT Scan showing Splenic Abscess.

Therapy of choice is parathyroidectomy and if refused by the patient cinacalcet can be used [12] although not a definitive answer. In poor patients we have limited in therapeutic options. This patient was later convinced for surgery.

In conclusion, pancytopenia may be a feature of Primary Hyperparathyroidism. The management of hyperparathyroidism may improve leucopenia and thrombocytopenia without significant improvement in anaemia. Splenic abscess may present in a patient with pancytopenia associated with Hyperparathyroidism which should be investigated. Only large splenic abscesses require surgical intervention, however splenectomy may not be necessary in all cases.

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Citation: Agrawal NK, Bansal N, Kant S, Kumar A, Sharma S, et al. Splenic Abscess in Primary Hyperparathyroidism. Austin J Clin Case Rep. 2015;2(2): 1072. ISSN : 2381-912X