Intraoperative urinary cyclic adenosine monophosphate as a guide to successful reoperative parathyroidectomy.

Sixty patients with persistent or recurrent primary hyperparathyroidism underwent reexploration during which urinary cyclic adenosine monophosphate (UcAMP) levels were determined at half-hour intervals by radioimmunoassay. Retrospective analysis of the data allowed us to develop UcAMP criteria for surgical success. Following removal of parathyroid tissue, if an individual UcAMP level dropped 50% from the median baseline level, or if elevated levels dropped to less than 4.0 nmol/dl glomerular filtrate, surgery was predicted to be successful. Eight unsuccessful procedures in seven patients produced no decline in UcAMP, and the intraoperative results accurately predicted surgical failure. Fifty-three patients underwent successful procedures and in every case UcAMP fell. Ninety-eight per cent of these successful procedures were predicted by our criteria. Levels of UcAMP fell 1.5 +/- 0.5 hours (means +/- SD) following abnormal parathyroidectomy. In 19 of 36 successful cases diagnosed before surgery as adenoma, the operative procedure was terminated before a significant drop in UcAMP. In 16 of 17 successful cases diagnosed before surgery as hyperplasia or uncertain histology, UcAMP fell during the operation. Intraoperative determination of UcAMP is helpful in reoperative parathyroid surgery. The criteria established allow intraoperative prediction of success with remarkable accuracy. Urinary cyclic AMP is especially helpful in reoperation for multigland disease; when enough pathologic tissue has been removed, the criteria will be met and the procedure may be terminated with confidence.     

Appearance of ectopic undescended inferior parathyroid adenomas on technetium Tc 99m sestamibi scintigraphy: a lesson from reoperative parathyroidectomy

HYPOTHESIS: Critical postoperative review of technetium Tc 99m sestamibi scintigraphy can identify an undescended parathyroid adenoma on scans initially interpreted as nondiagnostic or negative. DESIGN: Case series. SETTING: A single, tertiary care academic medical center. PATIENTS: Three patients with persistent hyperparathyroidism. INTERVENTION: Technetium Tc 99m sestamibi scanning. OUTCOME MEASURE: Medical records, operative reports, selective venous sampling results, and sestamibi scans were reviewed to identify scintigraphic findings diagnostic of an undescended parathyroid adenoma. RESULTS: All patients were cured of their persistent or recurrent hyperparathyroidism during reoperation by resection of an undescended inferior parathyroid adenoma. Subsequent review of the preoperative sestamibi scans demonstrated scintigraphic evidence of the undescended adenoma. In each case there was asymmetry in the physiologic activity attributed to the ipsilateral submandibular gland that, in fact, corresponded to an ectopic parathyroid adenoma at the level of the carotid bifurcation. CONCLUSIONS: Careful attention to the contour of radioactivity in the region of the submandibular salivary gland may alert surgeons to the presence of an undescended inferior adenoma. After corroboration, this finding may facilitate a targeted operation.     

Minimally invasive parathyroidectomy using surgeon-performed ultrasound and sestamibi

BACKGROUND: Surgeon-performed ultrasound (SPU) and (99m)Tc-sestamibi (SM) scanning can be used alone or in combination in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism to select cases suitable for minimally invasive parathyroidectomy (MIP). The aim of the study was to evaluate SPU and SM and to determine the reliability they provide the surgeon in planning and carrying out MIP. METHODS: The study was a prospective analysis of 130 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism who had preoperative localization with SPU and SM at a tertiary referral centre between 2003 and 2006. All ultrasound scans were carried out by one surgeon, followed by correlative sestamibi scan and a further 'on operating table' ultrasound to reassess the lesion and mark the operative site. Selection criteria for MIP were a positive SPU and SM, although a positive SPU or SM allowed the surgeon to focus on the nominated side. SPU and SM localizations were correlated to the operative findings. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty patients underwent both SPU and SM. There were 97 women and 33 men, with a mean age of 59 years. SPU alone identified the abnormal parathyroid in 103 cases (sensitivity 82%; positive predictive value 96.3%). SM alone identified the abnormal gland in 102 cases (sensitivity 79%; positive predictive value 99%). In 88 patients, the SPU and SM were concordant, and 94% had successful MIP. SPU and SM were both negative in 13 patients, and all these patients had bilateral neck exploration. CONCLUSION: SPU in the hands of an experienced surgeon in association with sestamibi is a reliable tool for the preoperative localization of parathyroid adenomas and facilitates a minimally invasive procedure.     

Vocal cord paralysis and reoperative parathyroidectomy. A prospective study.

One hundred sixty-three patients undergoing reoperative parathyroidectomy were evaluated before and after operation to determine the incidence of, risk factors for, and morbidity of vocal cord paralysis. These patients were compared to 77 patients undergoing initial parathyroid operation, only one of whom had vocal cord paralysis on postoperative indirect laryngoscopy (1.3%). Preoperative examination of the reoperative patients revealed vocal cord paralysis from initial exploration in 11 patients who were excluded from this study. After re-exploration, 10 patients (6.6%) had vocal cord paralysis, eight unilateral and two bilateral. Right vocal cords were paralyzed twice as often as left. In 90%, vocal cord paralysis was associated with removal or biopsy of an ipsilateral gland. Vocal cord paralysis occurred despite intraoperative visualization of the recurrent laryngeal nerves. Preoperative localization, parathyroid gland pathology, and concomitant thyroidectomy were not associated with increased risk of vocal cord paralysis. Hoarseness was the major symptom. Tracheostomy was required for two patients, one was permanent. One patient was treated for aspiration with a temporary gastrostomy. Nine of 10 patients had return of normal voice quality in an average of 4 months time. On examination 4 years or more after surgery, two of five patients had normal vocal cord motion. The oblique anatomic course of the right recurrent laryngeal nerve may account for the greater frequency of right vocal cord paralysis.     

Patterns of disease in patients at a tertiary referral centre requiring reoperative parathyroidectomy

Introduction

Reoperative parathyroidectomy is required when there is persistent or recurrent hyperparathyroidism following the initial surgery (at least 5% of parathyroidectomies nationally). By convention, ‘persistent disease’ is defined as the situation where the patient has not been cured by the first operation. The term ‘recurrent hyperparathyroidism’ is used when the patient was confirmed to be biochemically cured for six months from the first operation but has hyperparathyroidism after this date. Reoperative surgery is associated with higher rates of postoperative complications as well as a greater rate of failure to cure. The aim of our study was to review our departmental experience of reoperative parathyroidectomy, with a view to identify patterns of disease persistence and recurrence.

Methods

Using a departmental database, patients were identified who had undergone reoperative parathyroidectomy between 2006 and 2014. All the pre, intra and postoperative information was documented including the operative note so as to record the location of the abnormal parathyroid gland found at reoperation.

Results

Almost two-thirds (63%) of patients had negative, equivocal or discordant conventional imaging so secondary investigative tools were required frequently. The majority of abnormal glands were found in eutopic locations. The most common locations for ectopic glands were intrathyroidal, mediastinal and intrathymic. A third (33%) of the patients had multigland disease and over a quarter (28%) had coexisting thyroid disease.

Conclusions

Persistent hyperparathyroidism represents a challenging patient subgroup for which access to all radiological modalities and intraoperative parathyroid hormone monitoring are required. Patient selection for reintervention is a key determinant in the reoperation cure rate.     

Intraoperative ultrasound and reoperative parathyroid surgery: An initial evaluation

We compared intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS) to preoperative high-resolution real-time ultrasound in 25 consecutive patients undergoing reoperations for primary hyperparathyroidism. Intraoperative neck scanning was performed after the platysma muscle flaps were raised, and one or both sides of the neck were opened along the medial border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. Preoperative localization studies were used to determine which side of the neck to explore. Pathologic parathyroid glands appeared sonolucent on both pre- and intraoperative ultrasound. Glands were always imaged in 2 planes. Neither preoperative nor intraoperative scans were able to image normal parathyroid glands. Preoperative scans were correct for abnormal tissue in 9 patients, and intraoperative scans were correct in 19 patients (p=0.01).Size of a pathologic parathyroid gland was not a factor in the ability of IOUS to detect it, but location was. Intrathyroidal and inferior glands were detected reliably, but superior glands were missed (33%). If IOUS imaged the pathologic parathyroid tissue, the length of the surgical procedure was significantly reduced [5.9 hours versus 3.1 hours (p= 0.005)].IOUS did not appear to impact on ultimate outcome as 5 of 6 patients in whom IOUS failed to image the pathologic gland had successful surgery without complication.

---

Resumen Hemos comparado la ultrasonografía de alta resolución de tiempo real intraoperatoria (USIO) con la preoperatoria en 25 pacientes sometidos a reoperación por hiperparatiroidismo primario. La ultrasonografía del cuello fue realizada después de levantar los colgajos del músculo cutáneo y una vez que uno o ambos lados del cuello fueron disecados a lo largo del borde interno del esternocleidomastoideo. Los estudios preoperatorios de localización fueron utilizados para determinar qué lado del cuello debería ser explorado. Las glándulas paratiroides anormales aparecieron sonolucientes tanto a la ultrasonografía precomo intraoperatoria. Las imágenes de las glándulas fueron siempre obtenidas en 2 pianos. No se logró visualizar glándulas paratiroides normales ni en el examen preni en el intraoperatorio. Los exámenes preoperatorios dieron resultados correctos para tejido paratiroideo anormal en 9 pacientes, y los intraoperatorios en 19 pacientes (p=0.01). El tamaño de la glándula paratiroidea anormal no fue un factor determinante de la capacidad de la USIO para su detección, pero sí lo fue la ubicación. Las glándulas paratiroideas en ubicación intratiroidea o inferior pudieron ser detectadas en forma confiable, pero las de ubicación superior se escaparon a la detección (33%). Cuando la USIO logró demostrar el tejido paratiroideo anormal, el procedimiento operatorio se acortó en forma significativa (5.9 horas versus 3.1 horas,p=0.005). La USIO no parece determinar el resultado final de operación, puesto que 5 de 6 pacientes en quienes la USIO falló en la demostración de glándulas anormales fueron operados sin complicación.

---

Résumé Les auteurs ont comparé les données de l'ultrasonographie préopératoire à celles de l'ultrasonographie opératoire chez 25 malades qui atteints d'hyperparathyroïdisme primitif ont du être réopérés après échec de la première intervention. L'ultrasonographie opératoire fut pratiquée après dissection des lambeaux de platysma musculaire et abord d'un ou des deux côtés du cou par incision cervicale tracée au niveau du bord axial du sternocléido-mastoidien. Avant l'intervention l'examen du cou avait été pratiqué pour déterminer le côté à explorer. Les parathyroïdes pathologiques se sont traduites par une image anormale au cours des 2 explorations. Les images furent obtenues en 2 plans. Elles firent défaut quand les parathyroïdes étaient normales. L'ultrasonographie préopératoire fut exacte chez 9 malades qui présentaient des parathyroïdes pathologiques et l'ultrasonographie opératoire fut exacte chez 19 opérés (p=0.01). L'habilité de la méthode pour déceler la lésion ne dépend pas de la taille de la parathyroïde pathologique mais de son siège. Les parathyroïdes intrathyroïdiennes et sous-thyroïdiennes anormales furent démasquées mais celles situées haut ne furent pas décelées dans 33% des cas. Lorsque l'échographie décela la lésion la durée de l'intervention fut notablement réduite (de 5.9 heures elle passa à 3.1 heures (p =0.005)) mais au total elle n'intervient pas sur la destinée de l'intervention puisque dans 5 des 6 cas où ses résultats avaient été négatifs la glande anormale fut découverte par le chirurgien et extirpée avec succès et sans complication.

---

---

Presented at the International Association of Endocrine Surgeons in Paris, September 1985.     

Reduced-time-window sestamibi scanning for nonlocalized primary hyperparathyroidism.

BACKGROUND: Technetium Tc 99m sestamibi scan is the standard of care for localizing parathyroid adenomas. Methods and Material: We performed a retrospective, single-institution study of 111 consecutive patients with primary hyperparathyroidism who underwent standard sestamibi scan for localization of a parathyroid lesion. A revised protocol of reduced-time-window sestamibi scan was used in nonlocalized patients. The protocol was composed of single-view scans at 15, 30, 45, and 120 minutes and tomograms at 60 minutes. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients underwent surgery at our institution. Thirty-one had adenomas, and 4 had hyperplasia. Three of 31 patients did not show localization on the standard scan and underwent reduced-time-window scans, which localized 2 more adenomas. These were confirmed at the time of surgery. CONCLUSION: We suggest that all patients with a high degree of suspicion for a parathyroid adenoma, which is not visualized by a standard scan, undergo a reduced-time-window scan.     

Ultrasound facilitates minimally invasive parathyroidectomy in patients lacking definitive localization from preoperative sestamibi scan

BACKGROUND: Sestamibi scanning is commonly used for preoperative localization in patients with hyperparathyroidism. However, 12% to 15% of these studies are equivocal or negative. Ultrasound may also be used to identify patients suitable for a minimally invasive parathyroidectomy. METHODS: Data from patients treated for hyperparathyroidism between January 2000 and April 2006 were reviewed retrospectively. Sestamibi and ultrasound results were scored as definitive, suggestive, or negative. Patients with suggestive or negative sestamibi scans were included in the analysis. RESULTS: A total of 261 patients underwent operation without a definitively localizing sestamibi scan. Preoperative neck ultrasound was performed in 80 of these patients. Overall, ultrasound was either conclusive or suggestive in 45 of 80 patients (56%) without a definitively localizing sestamibi scan and correctly correlated with the surgical findings in 38 of 45 (84%) of these patients. CONCLUSION: In patients with nonlocalizing sestamibi scans, neck ultrasound increases the number of patients suitable for minimally invasive parathyroidectomy.     

The changing face of reoperative parathyroidectomy: a single-centre comparison of 147 parathyroid reoperations

IntroductionReoperative parathyroidectomy for persistent and recurrent primary hyperparathyroidism is dependent on radiology. This study aimed to compare outcomes in reoperative parathyroidectomy at a single centre using a combination of traditional and newer imaging studies.Materials and methodsRetrospective case note review of all reoperative parathyroidectomies for persistent and recurrent primary hyperparathyroidism over five years (June 2014 to June 2019; group A). Imaging modalities used and their positive predictive value, complications and cure rates were compared with a published dataset spanning the preceding nine years (group B).ResultsFrom over 2000 parathyroidectomies, 147 were reoperations (101 in group A and 46 in group B). Age and sex ratios were similar (56 vs 62 years; 77% vs 72% female). Ultrasound use remains high and shows better positive predictive value (76% vs 57 %). 99mTc-sestamibi use has declined (79% vs 91%) but the positive predictive value has improved (74% vs 53%). 4DCT use has almost doubled (61% vs 37%) with better positive predictive value (88% vs 75%). 18F-fluorocholine positron emission tomography-computed tomography and ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration for parathyroid hormone are novel modalities only available for group A. Both carried a positive predictive value of 100%. Venous sampling with or without angiography use has decreased (35% vs 39%) but maintains a high positive predictive value (86% vs 91%). Cure rates were similar (96% vs 100%). Group A had 5% permanent hypoparathyroidism, 1% permanent vocal cord palsy and 1% haematoma requiring reoperation. No complications for group B.ConclusionOptimal imaging is key to good cure rates in reoperative parathyroidectomy. High-quality, non-interventional imaging techniques have produced a shift in the preoperative algorithm without compromising outcomes.     

腔镜下甲状旁腺全切除加前臂移植手术的配合

介绍13例腔镜下甲状旁腺全切加前臂移植手术的配合经验。提出做好术前访视及充足的术前准备,术中严格控制输液量,取出标本后及时送快速病理检查并保护好留存的甲状旁腺组织,密切配合腔镜手术是其配合要点。     

Intraoperative diagnostic isotopic bone scanning]

Advantages of intraoperative bone scintigraphy are presented on the basis of surgical treatment of 50 osteomyelitis patients. Tc99m was given either intravenously or into the fistula and the radiation was measured by a set of scintillating probe and radiometer. Small size, simple handling and quick measurement make this set extremely useful for intraoperative diagnostics contributing to complete removal of infected tissue from the operating site. This method requires only one tenth of usual dose of radioisotope what must be recognized as an additional advantage.     

Intraoperative parathormone spikes during parathyroidectomy may be associated with multiglandular disease

Background

The importance of intraoperative parathormone “spikes” during parathyroidectomy remains unclear. This study compared patients with and without intraoperative parathormone spikes during parathyroidectomy using the criterion of a?>?50% parathormone and determined the effect of intraoperative parathormone spikes on operative outcome.

Preoperative sestamibi scanning and surgical findings at bilateral, unilateral, or minimal reoperation for recurrent hyperparathyroidism after subtotal parathyroidectomy in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1

HYPOTHESES: Preoperative parathyroid radioisotope scanning is of little or no value in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 when 4 or more hypertrophied glands are present. Scanning using technetium Tc 99m sestamibi and single photon emission computed tomography will achieve a high level of sensitivity and specificity after 3 or more glands have previously been removed, justifying limited surgical reexploration. DESIGN: In a prospective study, the preoperative documented report of the predicted site of residual parathyroid was compared with the surgical findings in 13 patients having 19 scans and 17 reoperations. SETTING: All patients belonged to one family, previously described as Tasman family 1, and were confirmed by genetic testing as having multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1. In 10 of 13 patients, reexploration was being undertaken more than 10 years after the first operation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Scanning was regarded as successful when the documented preoperative report correctly predicted the side and quadrant in which a gland was found at surgery. Surgery was regarded as successful when calcium levels decreased to or below normal levels and were maintained. RESULTS: All 13 scans before first reexploration were successful in identifying the location of a residual parathyroid. From a statistical viewpoint, this equates to 100% sensitivity and 92% specificity. However, despite accurate localization of 1 residual gland in every patient, 7 supernumerary glands in 4 patients and 1 parathyroid remnant in a fifth patient were not localized so that sensitivity in locating all glands in every patient was only 61%. Scans performed for persistent hypercalcemia 48 to 72 hours after reexploration in 2 patients were unsuccessful in demonstrating any residual parathyroid. Scans performed 3 months after surgery in the same 2 patients and a third patient were successful, with sensitivity and specificity of 100%. Apart from patient 11, who awaits reexploration, normocalcemia was eventually achieved in every patient, with 11 of 12 having an initial period of hypocalcemia. CONCLUSIONS: Three months after reexploration and trimming or resection with transplant of half a gland left at first operation, sestamibi scanning achieved sensitivity and specificity of 100% in locating supernumerary parathyroids in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 and persistent hypercalcemia. Before first reexploration, however, scans rarely provided new information, predominantly showing only the hypertrophied half-gland remnant.     

The false-positive parathyroid sestamibi: a real or perceived problem and a case for radioguided parathyroidectomy

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate that the positive parathyroid sestamibi scan, if correctly interpreted and applied, truly represents a parathyroid adenoma, never a "false-positive" scan. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Although the sestamibi scan is widely ordered preoperatively to locate parathyroid adenomas, concern about a false-positive scan often causes surgeons to distrust the results. Tissues such as thyroid adenomas and lymph nodes have been blamed for false-positive studies, but the radioactivity of these presumed false-positive tissues has never been measured. METHODS: Over an 1 8-month period, 17 patients were referred for persistent primary hyperparathyroidism after undergoing at least one neck exploration. All patients had a sestamibi scan prior to their initial operation that was interpreted as clearly positive and then, during or after an unsuccessful operation, deemed false-positive by the surgeon. At the authors' institution, all patients underwent repeat sestamibi scintigraphy and were taken to the operating room while radioactive for a minimally invasive radioguided parathyroidectomy (MIRP). RESULTS: The authors' sestamibi scans demonstrated the same single focus of radioactivity displayed on the outside scans, clearly positive. During MIRP, an adenoma was successfully located and removed in all patients, with confirmation of the diagnosis by quantitative differential radioactivity and subsequent histologic examination. Removal of the radioactive tissue cured all patients. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative nuclear mapping permitted identification and removal of parathyroid adenomas in all patients with positive sestamibi scans that had previously been labelled false-positive, indicating that each patient would have been cured during their previous operation if radioguided techniques were used. Surgeons should be extremely cautious in deciding intraoperatively that a positive sestamibi scan is a false-positive scan.     

Intraoperative ultrasonic scanning of extrahepatic bile ducts

The intraoperative ultrasonic investigation (IOUSI) of bile tracts was used during laparoscopic cholecystectomy for chronic (53 patients) and acute (25 patients) calculous cholecystitis and during 74 open operations in patients with mechanical jaundice. In half of the cases IOUSI was combined with intraoperative cholangiography (IOCG). A conclusion made on the basis of the clinical material suggests that IOUSI allows better assessment than IOCG of the state of the bile duct walls and pancreas head, the consistency of the duct content and can detect small (2-5 mm) concrements more exactly. However IOCG is more effective in determining the function of the bile tracts. So, the methods are thought to be not competing but mutually supplementing.