Acute Hypercalcemia Resulting From Antibiotic-Impregnated Calcium Sulfate Beads

An 86-year-old man with a history of chronic kidney disease sustained a hip fracture after a mechanical fall, which eventually led to a total hip arthroplasty (THA). During this THA, he was found to have a prosthetic joint infection and underwent debridement, antibiotics, and implant retention, where calcium sulfate beads (CSBs) were placed. He subsequently developed hypercalcemia, requiring intravenous fluids, diuretics, and calcitonin for treatment. This case highlights the development of hypercalcemia after the placement of CSBs, which is a known, although uncommon, side effect.