Dr Parveen Mendiratta, Head of Department, Surgical Oncology, Yatharth Hospital, Greater Noida
A 34-year-old woman from Greater Noida, who arrived at the hospital with severe abdominal pain, was found to be suffering from an extremely rare cause of acute pancreatitis, a hidden parathyroid tumor. Thanks to the swift coordination and expertise of doctors, she underwent a successful high-risk surgery and was discharged just five days later with significant recovery.
The Unexpected Cause Behind Severe Abdominal Symptoms
When the patient was first admitted to the Hospital, her symptoms pointed to acute pancreatitis, a painful and potentially life-threatening condition. However, further evaluation revealed something unusual, a high calcium level in the blood, a condition known as hypercalcemia.
While pancreatitis due to hypercalcemia is extremely rare, occurring in less than 1 percent of cases, the Doctors suspected a deeper cause. In collaboration with the hospital’s endocrinology department, they discovered a parathyroid adenoma, a benign tumor in the right parathyroid gland. This tumor was disrupting the body’s calcium balance and affecting vital organs including the bones, kidneys, and muscles.
A Complex Case Made Riskier by a Weak Heart
The complexity of the case increased when tests showed the patient had a severely reduced heart function. Her ejection fraction (EF), a measure of how much blood the heart pumps out with each beat, was just 25 percent, far below the normal range. This made surgical intervention particularly risky.
Despite the odds, the team decided to move forward with the surgery. The anesthesiology department played a critical role in managing the patient’s fragile heart condition during the operation to ensure safety.
Surgical Precision and Real-Time Confirmation
During the surgery, the team removed the tumor and immediately sent the tissue for analysis to confirm it was indeed parathyroid tissue. Simultaneously, the biochemistry department monitored the patient’s hormone levels. Remarkably, within just 20 minutes of the tumor’s removal, her parathormone (PTH) levels dropped sharply from 1233 to 140, providing real-time confirmation that the surgery had been successful.
Multidisciplinary Teamwork Made the Difference
This case was an extraordinary example of team-based care and quick clinical judgment. Hypercalcemia-induced pancreatitis is rare and often overlooked. Identifying it early gave a critical opportunity to intervene. Despite the patient’s compromised heart function, the surgery proceed safely because of seamless collaboration across departments. It truly reflects the strength of multidisciplinary medicine.
A Positive Outcome and a Message for the Future
The patient made a steady recovery and was discharged just five days after surgery. By the time she left the hospital, her heart’s ejection fraction had improved to 45 percent.
This case highlights not just a rare link between parathyroid tumors and pancreatitis, but also the vital importance of early diagnosis, precise surgical planning, and coordinated hospital care. Even in high-risk and complex medical situations, timely intervention and teamwork can make all the difference.
