Author/Authors :
Belen Alonso Ortiz, Maria Department of Internal Medicine - Gran Canaria University Hospital, Las Palmas, Spain , Lorenzo Villalba, Noel Department of Internal Medicine - Chretien Hospital, Liege, Belgium , Almaraz Marroquin, Emilio Department of Internal Medicine - Yeovil District Hospital, Yeovil, United Kingdom , Kechida, Melek Department of Internal Medicine - Bourguiba University Hospital Fattouma, Monastir, Tunisia , Mendez-Bailon, Manuel Department of Internal Medicine - San Carlos University Hospital, Madrid, Spain , Pulido Gonzalez, Imanol Department of Internal Medicine - Gran Canaria University Hospital, Las Palmas, Spain
Abstract :
Background: Enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma (EATL) is a rare and aggressive type of extranodal T-cell lymphoma (TCL) arising in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and represents 5–8% of all T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL) and 10–25% of primary intestinal lymphomas.
Case presentation: We reported a 78-year-old woman presenting with severe hypocalcemia. Investigations confirmed vitamin D and iron deficiency as well as hypoalbuminemia. Celiac disease was suspected and confirmed, but despite intravenous calcium and magnesium supplementation and a gluten-free diet, normal electrolyte levels were never reached. Intestinal perforation was the clue to the diagnosis of enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma (EATL).
Conclusion: Hypocalcemia can result from multiple conditions. In patients not responding to adequate supplementation, further investigations should be performed to diagnose the underlying condition
Keywords :
Hypocalcemia , Hypomagnesemia , Celiac disease , Enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma
