Primary hyperparathyroidism in pregnancy-a rare cause of life-threatening hypercalcemia: case report and literature review.

Objective. To report a case of primary hyperparathyroidism in a pregnant patient, report the obstetric and neonatal outcomes, and review the relevant literature. Results. A 29-year-old primigravida was successfully treated for PHP with minimally invasive resection of a parathyroid adenoma in the second trimester of pregnancy. A healthy baby girl was delivered at 37-week gestation with an unremarkable neonatal course. To the best of our knowledge, this is the second case report in the literature utilizing intraoperative PTH during a parathyroidectomy in a pregnant woman. Conclusions. Primary hyperparathyroidism is a rare life-threatening condition that can present during pregnancy. The diagnosis can be difficult to establish during pregnancy, given the nonspecific symptoms related to hypercalcemia. However, a better understanding of the condition, improved diagnostic studies, and well-organized multidisciplinary management decisions can significantly reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with the disease during pregnancy. This case report is presented to highlight the value of early diagnosis and appropriate management of PHP during pregnancy.

Association of HLA B27 antigen in Indian patients of ankylosing spondylitis and other autoimmune diseases.

One thousand three hundred and forty clinically suspected patients of Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) and other autoimmune diseases and 5000 controls were studied to detect the association of HLA B27 antigen amongst them. Other alleles studied include HLA B7, B40 (B60), B22(B55), B13, etc. Our findings show a considerable and consistent association of HLA B27 with AS irrespective of the community to which the patient, belonged his hygiene or socio-economic conditions. We also found that people in the age group of 21-39 were the most vulnerable, when number of affected individuals or severity of the disease were taken into consideration. Male members showed a preponderance over females in HLA B27 positivity. Detection of HLA B27 could help in the diagnosis of AS. Patients suffering from other autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, Reiter's syndrome and uveitis and patients with inflammatory bowel disease, colitis, eczema, bacillary or fungal infection were also found to be HLA B27 positive. A study of other alleles shows that even they sometimes associate AS and other autoimmune diseases.

Takayasu's arteritis: a report of three cases.

Takayasu's arteritis is a rare disease seen mainly in young Oriental women. We report three cases of Takayasu's arteritis seen in our clinic. All three involved white women, and the ages at diagnosis were 18, 24, and 46 years. The diagnosis was confirmed by arteriography. Prednisone therapy produced marked improvement in signs and symptoms. Takayasu's arteritis is an important diagnosis to consider in young women with postural dizziness and with absent or diminished pulses.