Disodium pamidronate for treating severe hypercalcemia in a hemodialysis patient.
Overview
abstract
BACKGROUND: A 48-year-old man with a recent diagnosis of multiple myeloma and rapidly progressive oliguric end-stage renal disease requiring hemodialysis, presented with a serum calcium concentration of 3.4 mmol/l (13.6 mg/dl). INVESTIGATIONS: Serum laboratory analysis, electroencephalogram, MRI of the brain and bone marrow, and kidney biopsies. DIAGNOSIS: Hypercalcemia secondary to multiple myeloma. MANAGEMENT: Short-term intravenous disodium pamidronate therapy (30 mg daily) and daily monitoring of serum calcium concentration.
