Calcitriol mediated hypercalcaemia with silicone granulomas due to cosmetic injection

BMJ Case Rep. 2016 Dec 19:2016:bcr2016217269. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2016-217269.

Abstract

We present a case of a 41-year-old woman with medical history significant for urolithiasis presenting to our hospital for psychiatric evaluation due to worsening depression and suicidal ideations for the past 2 weeks. Initial laboratory results show hypercalcaemia of 13.5 mg/mL that led to consulting internal medicine. On further questioning, the patient admitted to cosmetic silicone injections in her buttocks which were causing calcium deposition under her skin, leading to disfigurement of the sacrum and lumbar regions. She underwent further evaluation with CT and laboratory testing, which effectively ruled out malignancy and primary hyperparathyroidism. The hypercalcaemia was diagnosed as non-PTH-dependent with high levels of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D and low PTH. She eventually underwent tissue biopsy confirming the presence of silicone granulomas responsible for the calcitriol-mediated hypercalcaemia. This case reminds one to keep a broad differential especially in patients with hypercalcaemia in which malignancy and primary hyperparathyroidism have been ruled out.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bone Density Conservation Agents / adverse effects
  • Calcitriol / adverse effects*
  • Female
  • Granuloma, Foreign-Body / complications*
  • Granuloma, Foreign-Body / diagnosis
  • Humans
  • Hypercalcemia / blood
  • Hypercalcemia / chemically induced*
  • Hypercalcemia / complications
  • Injections
  • Silicone Elastomers / administration & dosage
  • Silicone Elastomers / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Bone Density Conservation Agents
  • Silicone Elastomers
  • Calcitriol