An unusual case report: normocalcemic markers and their relationship with multiple sclerosis in primary hyperparathyroidism disease revealed by radiological markers with the diagnosis of brown tumor

• Published in: Egyptian journal of radiology and nuclear medicine 2022-02, Vol.53 (1), p.1-7
• Main Authors: Er, Nuray, Adiloglu, Selen, Acar, Gülin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Blood; Brown tumor; Computed tomography; Diagnosis; Hyperparathyroidism; Lung diseases, Obstructive; Medical examination; Multiple sclerosis; Normocalcemic hyperparathyroidism; Parathyroid hormone; Tumors
• ISSN: 0378-603X; 2090-4762
• DOI: 10.1186/s43055-022-00714-2

Background Brown tumor is a giant cell focal bone lesion associated with hyperparathyroidism and is more common in long bones such as the femur, ribs, pelvis, and clavicle, rather than in the head and neck region. Brown tumors occur less frequently in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism and are not usually a diagnostic marker of the disease. In addition, when primary hyperparathyroidism shows normocalcemic values and this disease is accompanied by multiple sclerosis, diagnosis becomes difficult. Case presentation A 57-year-old female patient presented with a painless, firm, irregularly circumscribed lesion extending from the upper palate to the nasal cavity. The lesion was first noticed by the patient about 2 months ago because it started to form asymmetry. The patient, whose anamnesis was learned to have Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), was immobile. The patient was using medication only for COPD. After radiological and clinical examinations, the image in the maxilla was thought to be Brown Tumor and blood values were examined. After the incisional biopsy was also performed, it was evaluated together with the blood results and the diagnosis of brown tumor due to normocalcemic primary hyperparathyroidism was made. As in this case, brown tumor cases in which the calcium level remains within normal ranges, that is, due to Normocalcemic Hyperparathyroidism, are extremely rare, and 7 cases have been reported in the literature. Conclusions In the presented case, the importance of the radiological and clinical markers of the brown tumor developing due to normocalcemic hyperparathyroidism in the diagnosis is stated, the relationship of MS and the effects of the drugs used for MS at brown tumor formation is examined, and the importance of the treatment follow-up with radiological findings is stated. The features of the much rarer subgroups of relatively common diseases should be well known, and it should not be forgotten that the less frequently observed features can sometimes be the first indicator. And when large-limited lesions are identified, additional systemic features should be sought instead of direct surgical intervention.