Sarcoidosis and primary hyperparathyroidism

Abstract

The etiopathogenical relationship between sarcoidosis and primary hyperparathyroidism is not yet fully defined. This coexistence remains rare in medical literature despite their relatively high prevalence. Therefore, this potential association should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a patient with sarcoidosis presenting symptoms of hyperparathyroidism. In this paper we describe the case of a patient diagnosed with sarcoidosis who presented an initial episode of symptomatic hypercalcemia successfully treated with corticoids. After remaining asymptomatic for years, hypercalcemia reappears in several tests. The complete study on calcium metabolism leads the diagnosis toward primary hyperparathyroidism. This case is relevant as it emphasizes the need to avoid attributing to hypercalcemia a reaction proper to sarcoidosis. Thus, it is intended to highlight the need to approach differential diagnosis of hypercalcemia instead of administering a treatment with corticoids.