Sayeed Bushra Zafar, Sayeed Faiza Zafar, Nashit Muhammad, Bhatty Shaheen
Department of Medicine, Dr. Ruth K. M. Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan.
Ochsner J. 2024 Spring;24(1):53-57. doi: 10.31486/toj.23.0004.
Thyroid and parathyroid hormones are essential components of the metabolic system and its regulation. Concurrent hyperthyroidism with hypoparathyroidism is an extremely rare finding and is not considered a common etiology of brain calcifications seen on imaging. Brain calcifications can cause a range of neurologic symptoms, including movement disorders, cognitive impairment, and seizures. Prompt recognition and treatment of hypoparathyroidism are essential to prevent or minimize the development of brain calcifications and associated neurologic symptoms. A 39-year-old female presented to the emergency department in an unconscious state with generalized weakness and tonic-clonic seizures for 1 day. On clinical examination, she had jerky movements of her upper limbs, and her Glasgow Coma Scale score was 4/15. Supporting hypoparathyroidism, she had low levels of serum parathyroid hormone, calcium, and vitamin D and a high level of serum phosphorus. Her magnesium level was normal. Thyroid profile revealed hyperthyroidism. Noncontrast-enhanced computed tomography scan at the midbrain level showed multiple bilateral hyperintense areas in the basal ganglia and thalami suggestive of calcifications. The patient was treated with calcium and vitamin D supplements and antithyroid agents that successfully resolved her symptoms. This case provides important documentation for including hypocalcemia as a result of hypoparathyroidism in the differential diagnosis of patients with seizures. The treatment approach used with our patient can be considered for managing seizures in cases where the underlying cause is challenging to identify. This case highlights the importance of a thorough evaluation and individualized treatment plan for patients with seizures.
甲状腺激素和甲状旁腺激素是代谢系统及其调节的重要组成部分。甲状腺功能亢进与甲状旁腺功能减退同时存在是极为罕见的情况,并非影像学上所见脑钙化的常见病因。脑钙化可导致一系列神经系统症状,包括运动障碍、认知障碍和癫痫发作。及时识别和治疗甲状旁腺功能减退对于预防或尽量减少脑钙化及相关神经系统症状的发生至关重要。一名39岁女性因全身无力和强直阵挛性发作1天,以昏迷状态被送往急诊科。临床检查时,她上肢有抽搐动作,格拉斯哥昏迷量表评分为4/15。支持甲状旁腺功能减退的表现为,她的血清甲状旁腺激素、钙和维生素D水平较低,血清磷水平较高。她的镁水平正常。甲状腺功能检查显示甲状腺功能亢进。中脑水平的非增强计算机断层扫描显示基底神经节和丘脑有多个双侧高信号区,提示钙化。该患者接受了钙和维生素D补充剂以及抗甲状腺药物治疗后,症状成功缓解。 本病例为在癫痫患者的鉴别诊断中纳入甲状旁腺功能减退导致的低钙血症提供了重要依据。对于潜在病因难以确定的癫痫病例,可考虑采用我们对该患者使用的治疗方法来控制癫痫发作。本病例强调了对癫痫患者进行全面评估和个体化治疗方案的重要性。