Parathyroid cysts

Fourteen new cases of parathyroid cyst are presented. Two distinct groups were identified: functioning and nonfunctioning. Patients with functioning cysts presented with hypercalcemia, tended to be men and were older. Patients with nonfunctioning cysts were all women, had normocalcemia and all presented with neck masses. Ultrasonography proved useful while radionuclide thyroid scans were often misleading. In the functioning group removal of parathyroid cysts resulted in postoperative normocalcemia in all cases. In the nonfunctioning cysts thyroid lobectomy was performed in five of six instances. Parathyroid cysts usually contain clear or serous fluid and are surrounded by a well-delineated plane of dissection. We believe that preoperative aspiration of cystic neck masses and consideration of the diagnosis of parathyroid cysts may avoid needless thyroid lobectomy.     

Implantation of parathyroid carcinoma along fine needle aspiration track

Introduction Fine needle aspiration cytology is not a commonly employed diagnostic modality in the diagnosis of parathyroid tumors.Case report A 28 year old lady being followed-up for 5 years after en bloc resection of a parathyroid carcinoma presented with a nodule in the lower neck, away from the parathyroidectomy scar. The 1 cm isolated nodule was located in the muscular and subcutaneous plane and corresponded to the needle track of FNA performed on a neck nodule before the parathyroidectomy. On evaluation, she had mild hypercalcemia and high normal serum parathyroid hormone levels. FNAC and histology including immunohistochemistry for Chromogranin A after local excision of the nodule confirmed the nodule to be a recurrent parathyroid carcinoma along the needle track.Discussion To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is only the second case of needle track implantation after FNA in parathyroid carcinoma reported to date. This case highlights the risk of engraftment of parathyroid tissue after FNA and cautions against the use of FNA as a preoperative diagnostic modality for the evaluation of parathyroid lesions.Drs. Agarwal and Dhingra have contributed equally, as joint first authors.     

Parathyroid cysts

Cystic neck masses may be accurately diagnosed by sonography, and some nonfunctioning parathyroid cysts can be cured by percutaneous aspiration. Primary hyperparathyroidism should be considered in all patients with cystic neck masses. Parathyroid cysts can often be recognized from the characteristics of the cyst fluid which is usually clear and colorless, contains elevated parathyroid hormone levels and normal or low thyroid hormone levels, and may contain parathyroid cells. Parathyroid cysts may be multiple; all four parathyroid glands should therefore be identified and appropriately removed or hyperparathyroidism may persist.     

原发性甲状旁腺功能亢进35例诊治分析

目的探讨原发性甲状旁腺功能亢进（PHPT）的诊断和治疗方法。方法回顾性分析15年间收治的35例PHPT患者的临床资料。结果26例行超声检查的阳性准确率为88.5％（23／26）。22例行放射性计算机X线断层扫描（ECT）检查的阳性准确率为95.5％（21／22）。27例甲状旁腺腺瘤均行单侧探查；3例甲状旁腺癌均参照甲状腺癌行根冶性切除和颈部淋巴结功能性清扫术；4例甲状旁腺增生中2例单侧探查，2例行双侧探查术；1例甲状旁腺腺瘤恶变行患侧的甲状腺和甲状旁腺全切除。其中1例腺瘤并发甲状旁腺危象者经内科紧急处理后急诊手术切除腺瘤，症状缓解。手术后均发生不同程度的低血钙症，应用钙剂后症状缓解。部分患者骨痛缓解或消失。结论超声和ECT可作为首选的定位诊断方法。定性诊断主要依据血钙和血甲状旁腺素的同步升高，一旦明确即应手术治疗。定位明确的甲状旁腺腺瘤可行单侧探查。定位不明确或异位者可在放射性核素指导下行手术探查。甲状旁腺危象应在内科治疗控制症状后积极手术探查。     

A giant nonfunctioning parathyroid cyst

Summary A case of a giant nonfunctioning parathyroid cyst is presented. The diagnosis was missed preoperatively, due to unfamiliarity with this pathology. Functioning parathyroid cysts cause hyperparathyroidism and are easy to diagnose. Nonfunctioning parathyroid cysts produce only a mass in the neck, without other symptoms. From the literature it appears that they are seldom diagnosed preoperatively. However, aspiration of clear, colorless watery fluid should lead to a correct diagnosis. This case is interesting because of its rarity and of the giant size of the cyst. No evidence of a parathyroid cyst of these dimensions has been found in the literature. This case also proves that parathyroid cysts may recur after aspiration; thus aspiration is not always the definite treatment of these cysts.Paper presented at the Autumn Meeting of the Belgian Society for Plastic, Reconstructive and Esthetic Surgery, Leuven, Belgium, November 4, 1989 Offprint requests to: Prof. G. Matton     

Adrenal rest carcinoma in hilum of kidney

Adrenocortical rests are uncommon in adults and infrequently undergo malignant changes. Most of the published cases are those of functional tumors allowing preoperative diagnosis on the basis of the resulting endocrinopathy. Most nonfunctioning tumors were found accidentally at operation or autopsy. A case is presented of a parapelvic nonfunctioning adrenocortical rest carcinoma situated in the renal hilus in a fifty-year-old woman. No such tumor has been described previously.     

Parathyroid carcinoma in a child: an unusual case of an ectopically located malignant parathyroid gland with tumor invading the thymus

Parathyroid carcinoma is exceptionally rare in children. Parathyroid carcinoma in the pediatric population most typically presents with significant hypercalcemia and a palpable neck mass. The authors report the seventh case of parathyroid carcinoma diagnosed in a child younger than 16 years. To our knowledge, this case is the first documented case, in the pediatric population, of parathyroid carcinoma in an ectopically located parathyroid gland with tumor invading the thymus.     

Intraoperative parathyroid hormone estimation: a valuable adjunct to parathyroid surgery.

Serial measurements of serum intact parathyroid hormone (PTH) and adjusted total calcium levels were performed on 10 patients during unilateral neck exploration for a solitary parathyroid adenoma localised preoperatively by ultrasound scan. Frozen section was performed peroperatively to establish the presence of parathyroid tissue. Levels of PTH were shown to be within the normal range within 15 min of adenoma removal (a mean of 13.4% of their preoperative values), allowing clear early distinction from unsuccessful surgery where no change occurred. Frozen section wrongly identified thyroid tissue as parathyroid in one case leading to a failure of the initial neck exploration. Our findings show that intraoperative PTH measurements can accurately predict whether all hyperfunctioning parathyroid tissue has been removed. This is not always possible using frozen section techniques. The wider use of intraoperative PTH measurement, particularly in difficult cases, may avoid the need for prolonged explorations to identify all four glands and, perhaps, biopsy of normal glands, replacing the current standard use of frozen section as a more reliable indicator of the success of parathyroid surgery.     

Large retrosternal parathyroid carcinoma with primary hyperparathyroidism

Parathyroid carcinoma is an uncommon cause of parathyroid hormone (PTH)-dependent hypercalcaemia, accounting for less than 1% of all cases of hyperparathyroidism. Parathyroid carcinoma is an indolent tumour with rather low malignant potential. Consideration of parathyroid carcinoma in the differential diagnosis of hypercalcaemic disorders is important because the morbidity and mortality are substantial and the best prognosis is associated with early recognition and surgical resection. Clinical indicators favouring parathyroid carcinoma over benign disease include markedly raised serum calcium levels, PTH and alkaline phosphatase. A palpable neck mass with both kidney and skeletal manifestations also give a high index of suspicion of parathyroid carcinoma. Histopathology alone is not sufficient to diagnose parathyroid cancer; it has to be correlated with the clinical findings. The initial and most effective treatment for parathyroid carcinoma is complete resection of the primary lesion, and repeated operations for recurrence are useful. The prognosis of parathyroid carcinomas is quite variable; 5-year survival rates vary from 40% to 86%, while the 10-year survival rate is approximately 49%. We report a case of parathyroid carcinoma occurring in a 55-year-old woman who presented with bone pain and hypercalcaemia.     

Intraoperative sestamibi scanning in reoperative parathyroidectomy

BACKGROUND: Reoperative neck exploration for hyperparathyroidism is often difficult even for experienced surgeons. Recent advances in preoperative and intraoperative localization techniques have improved successful resection rates. This prospective study evaluates the accuracy and clinical utility of intraoperative technetium 99m sestamibi scanning for localizing hyperfunctioning parathyroid tissue in reoperative neck explorations. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eleven patients underwent reoperative neck exploration for hyperparathyroidism. Two patients had 3 prior neck explorations, 1 had 2 prior neck explorations, and 8 patients had 1 prior neck operation. Preoperative studies included sestamibi scintigraphy and ultrasound in all patients, magnetic resonance imaging in 4, computed tomography scan in 3, parathyroid arteriogram in 1, and selective venous sampling in 1. All patients underwent intraoperative technetium 99m sestamibi scanning and parathyroid hormone assay. RESULTS: Preoperative technetium 99m sestamibi scanning and ultrasound each successfully localized 7 of 11 hyperfunctioning glands (64%). Intraoperative technetium 99m sestamibi scanning correctly localized 10 of 11 hyperfunctioning glands (91%). Intraoperative parathyroid hormone assay confirmed successful excision of hyperfunctioning tissue in all 11 patients. Postoperatively, all 11 patients had low-normal or normal calcium levels. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative technetium 99m sestamibi correctly localized 91% of hyperfunctioning glands compared with 64% localization for preoperative technetium 99m sestamibi and preoperative ultrasound. Intraoperative technetium 99m sestamibi scanning and parathyroid hormone monitoring are useful in reoperative neck explorations for hyperparathyroidism.     

Intracranial metastatic parathyroid carcinoma: case report

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: Parathyroid carcinoma is a rare entity, and fewer than 200 cases have been described. It is a slowly progressive disease characterized by frequent recurrences and local metastases. Most patients with parathyroid carcinoma die from metabolic complications of hyperparathyroidism. Five-year survival rates range from 25 to 50%. Functional parathyroid carcinoma is a rare cause of hyperparathyroidism that affects only 0.32 to 5% of all patients who undergo surgery for hypercalcemia. A review of the literature revealed only one other reported case of metastatic intracranial parathyroid carcinoma, in a patient who experienced local recurrence and metastatic disease when she was diagnosed with an intracranial lesion. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 44-year-old African-American man with recent-onset, right lower-extremity weakness and hypercalcemia 4 years after he underwent a parathyroidectomy for parathyroid carcinoma. At presentation, his parathyroid level was 467 pg/ml, and his serum calcium level was 15.2 mg/dl. Imaging studies revealed an isolated enhancing left mesial frontoparietal mass. A systemic Cardiolite study demonstrated a single focus of radiotracer uptake in this region. No abnormal uptake was demonstrated in the neck or elsewhere. INTERVENTION: The patient underwent a frameless stereotactic interventional magnetic resonance imaging-guided resection via a parasagittal interhemispheric approach. Pathological findings were consistent with parathyroid carcinoma. After resection, his right lower-extremity weakness and secondary hyperparathyroidism resolved. CONCLUSION: The typical natural history of parathyroid carcinoma concludes with death from complications of hyperparathyroidism. This case report supports aggressive surgical management to eliminate all parathyroid hormone-secreting malignant tissue and prevent metabolic complications. In this patient, intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging was helpful to ensure complete resection.     

Pneumothorax: an uncommon complication of minimally invasive parathyroidectomy

The gold standard for the surgical treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism has traditionally been bilateral neck exploration with identification of all four parathyroid glands. However, because of the increasing sensitivity and accuracy of preoperative imaging techniques, including ultrasound and sestamibi scanning, and the introduction of intraoperative parathyroid hormone monitoring, unilateral neck exploration has become more widely used. We describe two cases of pneumothorax following minimally invasive parathyroidectomy. The pneumothorax in the first case was thought to be due to the position of the parathyroid adenoma in the mediastinum and thus its close proximity to the lung pleura. In the second case, the patient had a history of emphysema, and the pneumothorax was most likely due to a rupture of a bleb. With prompt diagnosis and early treatment of this potential complication, morbidity can be decreased.     

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目的 总结原发性甲状旁腺功能亢进的诊治经验。方法 回顾分析中国医科大学附属第一医院普通外科1991—2005年经手术并经病理证实的48例原发性甲状旁腺功能亢进的诊治经验。结果 37例行超声检查的阳性准确率为81．1％（30／37）。35例行ECT检查的阳性准确率为91．4％（32／35）。38例甲状旁腺腺瘤均行单侧探查；6例甲状旁腺增生中4例行单侧探查，2例行双侧探查；3例甲状旁腺癌均参照甲状腺癌行根治性切除和颈部淋巴结功能性清扫术；1例甲状旁腺腺瘤恶变行患侧甲状腺和甲状旁腺全切除。手术后均发生不同程度的低钙血症，应用钙剂后症状缓解。结论 超声和ECT检查可做为诊断甲状旁腺疾病的首选定位诊断方法。定性诊断主要依据血钙和血甲状旁腺素的同步升高，一旦明确诊断即应手术治疗。定位明确的甲状旁腺腺瘤可行单侧探查。     

小切口下直接甲状旁腺腺瘤切除术13例的治疗体会

目的：探讨治疗甲状旁腺功能亢进症的小切口下甲状旁腺腺瘤切除手术方法。方法：总结1993--2000年对13例原发甲旁亢患者采用小切口下直接甲状旁腺腺瘤切除术的治疗经验，分析治疗甲旁亢的各种常用手术方法的优缺点。结果：13例术前诊断为单个甲状旁腺腺瘤术前定位正确率100％，采用小切口直接切除，术后血钙均降至正常范围。首次手术成功率为92％(因1例为甲状旁腺腺癌需2次手术)。结论：只要术前正确定位，单个甲状旁腺腺瘤行小切口下腺瘤切除术是可行的，选择好指征，可替代常规颈部探查术。     

原发性甲状旁腺功能亢进症的诊断与治疗（附62例报告）

目的 探讨原发性甲状旁腺功能亢进症（PHPT）的诊治方法.方法 回顾性分析我院2000年1月至2013年8月收治的62例患者的临床资料.结果 62例PHPT中骨型19例,肾型11例,混合型21例,无症状型11例.61例手术者中1例左侧甲状旁腺癌联合行左侧甲状腺叶切除和左侧中央组淋巴结清扫术,2例开胸切除纵隔内异位甲旁腺腺瘤,3例双侧病变行双侧探查术,55例单侧病变行单侧探查术.结论 定性诊断主要依据血钙和甲状旁腺激素升高,定位诊断彩超、99mTc-MIBI和薄层CT敏感性高,联合多种影像学方法术前定位应列为首选.定位明确者可直接单侧探查,定位不明确、双侧病变、复发者或异位者可行双侧探查或在核素扫描指导下探查.     

Parathyroid carcinoma: biochemical and pathologic response to DTIC

Parathyroid carcinoma is a rare cause of hyperparathyroidism. Cure results from successful en bloc resection. However, because of its rarity, the malignant nature may not be appreciated at the initial operative procedure and as a result, definitive resection may not be accomplished. However, even with extensive en bloc resections, local recurrences do occur and patients die of metabolic derangements associated with hypercalcemia. Thus in addition to operative intervention, palliative chemotherapy may be required to control the hypercalcemia. Radiotherapy has been unsuccessful. A single case of nonfunctioning parathyroid carcinoma responding to treatment with methotrexate, Adriamycin, cyclophosphamide, and CCNU has been reported. We report a case of recurrent functioning parathyroid carcinoma treated with dacarbazine (DTIC) in which biochemical and pathologic evidence of at least a partial response was seen. The patient, a 33-year-old woman, had undergone five previous neck explorations during a 26-month period for aggressive locally recurrent disease. Before DTIC therapy the intact parathyroid hormone (PTH) level was 1032 pg Eq/ml (normal 163 to 347 pg Eq/ml) and the serum calcium level was 16.8 mg/dl (normal 8.8 to 10.0 mg/dl). After a course of DTIC there was a marked improvement in her clinical status and biochemical parameters (intact PTH 545 pg Eq/ml; serum calcium 11.8 mg/dl). For 2 months her condition stabilized, with PTH levels between 700 and 760 pg Eq/ml and serum calcium levels between 10.2 and 16.0 mg/dl. With a slowly progressive rise in biochemical parameters a second course of DTIC was initiated and a marked drop in serum calcium levels (5.7 mg/dl) occurred, but PTH levels remained unchanged. A progressive course of septicemia, malnutrition, and disseminated intravascular clotting ultimately lead to her death 4 weeks later. At autopsy examination the tumor was confined to the neck. Grossly and microscopically there was extensive central as well as peripheral necrosis of the tumor, which was thought to be the result of the cytotoxic effect of DTIC. From this experience and because of the grim prognosis in patients with recurring parathyroid carcinoma, it may be that aggressive use of chemotherapy with DTIC early in the course of treatment should be considered.     

Incidence and prognosis of parathyroid gland carcinoma: a population-based study in The Netherlands estimating the preoperative diagnosis

Background

Parathyroid carcinoma is a rare malignancy and generally is diagnosed after surgery for primary hyperparathyroidism. Lack of a preoperative diagnosis and ill-considered surgical planning with its impact on survival are ill-described.

Methods

In a retrospective population-based cohort study the clinical features, treatment, recurrences, and survival of 41 parathyroid cancer patients are reported and compared with characteristics of patients with primary hyperparathyroidism.

Results

Patients with parathyroid carcinoma had significantly higher serum parathyroid hormone and calcium levels compared with patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. Nineteen patients (46%) had a palpable neck mass. A parathyroid hormone level more than 3 times the upper normal limits was suspicious and levels more than 10 times carried a positive predictive value of 84% for carcinoma. Ten-year recurrence-free and disease-specific survival rates were 71% and 79%, respectively.

Conclusions

Parathyroid hormone levels of more than 3 times upper normal limits, palpable neck mass, and profound hypercalcemia are suspicious signs of carcinoma necessitating surgical exploration by an experienced surgeon.     

Cervico-mediastinal hematoma secondary to extracapsular hemorrhage of parathyroid carcinoma. Clinical case and review of the literature

Extracapsular parathyroid haemorrhage is a rare but ominous occurrence, which may cause cervico-mediastinal haematoma and a severe calcaemia imbalance. We identified only 23 cases reported in the literature and these were always secondary to adenoma, hyperplasia or cysts, and never to carcinoma. We describe a case of a 56-year-old man who was admitted to our Institute because of the sudden development of an anterior neck swelling, together with dysphagia, dyspnoea and hoarseness. Physical examination revealed a large ecchymosis extending from the anterior neck to the upper chest, while the early symptoms had disappeared. Laboratory studies, ultrasonography and 99mtTC-Sestamibi scintiscan demonstrated the presence of primary parathyroidism due to a right inferior parathyroid neoplasm. At operation, the parathyroid was excised en bloc with the right thyroid lobe because they were joined together by an extensive fibrous reaction. Histological examination showed a well-differentiated parathyroid carcinoma with evidence of recent haemorrhage. To the best of our knowledge this is the first case of extracapsular haemorrhage due to a parathyroid carcinoma. In summary, although parathyroid haemorrhage is a rare condition, it should always be suspected when a painful mass or diffuse swelling suddenly occurs in the anterior neck, with or without ecchymosis, especially when serum calcium and phosphorus are abnormal.     

A case of pedunculated hepatoma suspected of adrenal tumor

We herein report a case of pedunculated hepatoma which was preoperatively diagnosed as nonfunctioning adrenal tumor. A 51-year-old man was admitted for further examination of right hypochondrial pain. CT scan showed a right suprarenal mass. Tumor vessels were visualized on selective right renal arteriography and right inferior phrenic arteriography. Adrenal function was normal. Preoperative diagnosis was nonfunctioning right adrenal tumor. On operation, we found a right suprarenal tumor which was in continuity with the inferior part of the liver. Pathological diagnosis of the biopsy specimen was hepatocellular carcinoma (Edmondson's grade 3). Difficulty of preoperative diagnosis of pedunculated hepatoma is discussed.     

Risk of parathyromatosis after fine-needle aspiration

Reoperative surgery for hyperparathyroidism (HPT) is fraught with hazard. When preoperative imaging studies are inconclusive or patient comorbidities are extensive fine needle-aspiration (FNA) is helpful to confirm the presence of suspected parathyroid tissue in the neck. Some surgeons refrain from using FNA because of the concern of tissue implantation (parathyromatosis). A retrospective review (1984-1996) of all patients diagnosed with HPT undergoing FNA of suspected parathyroid tissue was performed to document whether a correlation exists between FNA of suspected parathyroid tissue and subsequent development of parathyromatosis. Parathyromatosis was considered to have occurred when proven by histology or suspected on the basis of clinical studies. Of 81 patients with HPT undergoing ultrasound-guided FNA to assess abnormalities in the neck 41 patients with confirmed parathyroid tissue were identified. The indications for FNA in these 41 patients were: prior failed cervical exploration (n = 33), prior neck surgery and/or radiation (n = 2), inconclusive noninvasive imaging studies (n = 15), and severe comorbidities (n = 8). Mean follow-up was 5.8 years. No case of FNA-induced parathyromatosis was identified. FNA is useful to confirm the presence of parathyroid tissue in very select patients with hyperparathyroidism. FNA often eliminates the need for other imaging studies, may prevent a needless or likely fruitless re-exploration, and does not cause parathyromatosis.