Hypercalcemia Due to Hyperparathyroidism Leading to Acute Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is a common non bacterial inflammatory disease caused by activation, interstitial liberation and auto digestion of pancreas by its own enzymes. Common causes of acute pancreatitis are gall stones and alcohol. Much is known about the causes of pancreatitis but huge experimental data available about understanding of its pathogenesis is still incomplete. Hyperparathyroidism and other disorders accompanied by hypercalcaemia are occasionally complicated by acute pancreatitis. It is thought that the increased calcium concentration in pancreatic juice resulting from hypercalcaemia may prematurely activate proteases. In this article a case acute pancreatitis resulting from hpercalcaeia due to parathyroid adenoma in a young patient is presented. Hyperparathyroidism was suspected when despite severe pancreatitis calcium level remained high and parathormone level was grossly raised