Chonnam Med J.  2001 Mar;37(1):67-71.

A Case of Idiopathic Hypoparathyroidism Misdiagnosed as Idiopathic Seizure Disorder

• Shin SH
• Choi JY
• Go YC
• Kim JK
• Cho SW
• Kim SH
• Lim JK

Abstract

Idiopathic hypoparathyroidism is a relatively rare disease and represents a true parathyroid hormone deficiency of unknown cause. A 16-year-old girl presented with general weakness and hypocalcemia. She had been diagnosed as idiopathic seizure disorder and has been managed with antiepiletic drugs for 4 years. Physical examination showed positive Chvostek's and Trousseau's sign. Marked hypo-calcemia, hyperphosphatemia and extremely decreased serum PTH level were demonstrated. No abnormalities were founded in other routine laboratory tests, hormone assays of thyroid and adrenal cortex, and in X-ray studies of chest or both hands. However, the neuroimaging studies revealed bilaterally symmetrical calcifications, mainly in the basal ganlglia. The clinical symptoms and signs as well as abnormal calcium and phosphorus levels were satisfactorily controlled by supplementary calcium and vitamin D3 therapy.

Keyword

Idiopathic; Hypoparathyroidism; Seizure

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Adrenal Cortex
Calcium
Cholecalciferol
Epilepsy*
Female
Hand
Humans
Hyperphosphatemia
Hypocalcemia
Hypoparathyroidism*
Neuroimaging
Parathyroid Hormone
Phosphorus
Physical Examination
Rare Diseases
Seizures*
Thorax
Thyroid Gland
Calcium
Cholecalciferol
Parathyroid Hormone
Phosphorus