Nontraumatic Multiple Vertebral Compression Fractures Induced by Primary Hyperparathyroidism: A Case Report and Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is one of the causes of osteoporosis and is known to increase the fracture risk of bone. However, multiple vertebral compression fracture because of PHPT is extremely rare.

CASE DESCRIPTION: A case of acute multiple vertebral compression fracture in a patient with PHPT is described. The fracture occurred suddenly without trauma. The patient had a low T score (-4.4), and serum hypercalcemia and phosphatemia were evident. On examination, serum parathyroid hormone was found to be elevated, and PHPT was diagnosed by neck sonography and technetium-99m methoxyisobutylisonitrile scan. Once the patient was diagnosed with PHPT, we performed subtotal parathyroidectomy and corrective spinal surgery for multiple compression fractures.

CONCLUSIONS: When a patient has multiple compression fractures without any trauma history and a very low T score, the presence of other underlying diseases should be investigated.