A Case of Parathyroid Adenoma Manifested as Acute Pancreatitis Accompanied Subclinical Cushing's Syndrome due to an Adrenal Adenoma

Abstract

The manifestation of primary hyperparathyroidism by acute pancreatitis is a rare event. Furthermore, an asymptomatic adrenal mass may incidentally be detected by abdominal computed tomography. A mass that autonomously secretes glucocorticoid without any symptom is called subclinical Cushing’s syndrome. In this study, we report a rare case of a parathyroid adenoma manifested as acute pancreatitis accompanied with subclinical Cushing’s syndrome due to an incidental adrenal mass. A 47-year-old female patient presented with acute pancreatitis and hypercalcemia had a parathyroid mass detected by neck ultrasonography and a Tc99m-sestamibi scan. An abdominal computed tomography revealed a 3.1 × 4.3 cm mass which was detected in the left adrenal gland. The hormonal levels showed a high serum cortisol level, low ACTH level, and a high 24 h urine free cortisol level. The low and high dose dexamethasone suppression test showed no suppression. The parathyroid and adrenal masses were resected and the laboratory findings were normalized.