LoCa LoPa myelopathy: is prevention better than cure?

Abstract

Manifestations of primary hypoparathyroidism are produced by neuromuscular irritability or by extraosseous calcifications. We present a patient of primary hypoparathyroidism who had extensive calcification of brain parenchyma, and was suffering from chronic, generalised and progressive stiffness of body due to cervical compressive myelopathy, caused by calcification of posterior longitudinal ligament and ligamentum flavum. By presenting this case we wanted to emphasize the usefulness of meticulous clinical examination to differentiate the stiffness caused by myelopathy from that which is caused by possible coexisting extrapyramidal disorder. This case presentation also builds the hypothesis that early diagnosis and institution of early and appropriate treatment has potential to prevent the complications arising from extraosseous calcifications in patients with primary hypoparathyroidism.