Primary hyperparathyroidism--experiences with concomitant diseases, symptoms, preoperative diagnosis and surgical procedure over a period of 14 years

In a 14-years period (1970-1984) eight-three patients were operated on for primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) at the University Hospital of Erlangen. Special attention was paid to associated diseases, symptoms, preoperative diagnostic parameters were serum calcium, parathyroid hormone in venous blood, cyclic AMP in 24 h-urine. In 15.7% only borderline increased serum calcium values were measured. Ulcer incidence in pHPT was 19% as compared with approx. 7% in the general population. There was no increased incidence of pancreatitis in pHPT. The possibility of an association of pHPT with the Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia (MEN) syndrome was emphasized and measures of early diagnosis proposed.