Ectopic and supernumerary parathyroid glands in patients with refractory renal hyperparathyroidism

BackgroundThe aims of this study were to determine the rate of ectopic and supernumerary parathyroid glands and the outcome of surgical therapy in patients with refractory renal hyperparathyroidism.Materials and MethodsA retrospective review of all patients who underwent parathyroidectomy for refractory renal hyperparathyroidism was completed. Operative and pathology reports were reviewed, and the number and location of resected parathyroid glands, patient outcomes, and follow-up were determined.ResultsDuring the period 1993–2019, a total of 68 patients underwent subtotal or total parathyroidectomy for renal hyperparathyroidism. Of those, 59 patients (87%) were on dialysis for an average of 6.7 years. We determined that 18 patients (26%) had 24 ectopic parathyroid glands, including 9 (13%) patients with 11 supernumerary glands. A total of 2 patients had a supernumerary gland in a normal anatomic location. Of the 24 ectopic glands, 14 (58%) were in the thymus. After parathyroidectomy, 4 patients (5.9%) had persistent hyperparathyroidism, 6 patients (8.8%) developed recurrent hyperparathyroidism, and 2 patients (3%) had permanent hypoparathyroidism.ConclusionEctopic and supernumerary parathyroid glands occurred in 26% and 16% of patients with renal hyperparathyroidism, respectively, and the thymus was the most common location. Thorough neck exploration and transcervical thymectomy are important to help reduce persistent and recurrent hyperparathyroidism after parathyroidectomy for renal hyperparathyroidism.     

Relevance of Bilateral Cervical Thymectomy in Patients with Renal Hyperparathyroidism: Analysis of 161 Patients Undergoing Reoperative Parathyroidectomy

Background

The most frequent location of ectopic or supernumerary inferior parathyroid is the thymus. Bilateral cervical thymectomy has therefore been recommended as an essential part of the initial surgery for renal hyperparathyroidism (rHPT) to avoid persistent or recurrent cervical disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate how often reoperation might have been avoidable if an appropriate cervical thymectomy had been performed during initial surgery.

Methods

A prospective database of patients with rHPT was screened for patients on permanent dialysis who underwent reoperative parathyroidectomy (PTX) between 1976 and 2010. Data were retrospectively analyzed for the performance of bilateral cervical thymectomy during previous surgeries and the presence of ectopic and/or supernumerary intrathymic parathyroid glands during reoperative PTX.

Results

Of 161 patients who underwent reoperative PTX, 95 had neck reexploration. Among them were 29 patients with total PTX and autotransplantation, seven with subtotal PTX (3.5 glands resected), and 59 with incomplete PTX during the initial surgery. Bilateral cervical thymectomy during the initial PTX was performed in only 12 of 95 patients (12.6 %). It was revealed to be incomplete in six of them, inheriting an intrathymic parathyroid gland during reoperative interventions. Reoperative PTX revealed intrathymic parathyroid glands in 27 of 95 patients (28.4 %). The intrathymic parathyroid glands were ectopic in 17 (63.0 %) patients and supernumerary in 8 (29.6 %). Both ectopic and supernumerary intrathymic parathyroid glands were found in two patients (7.4 %).

Conclusions

The risk for persistent and recurrent disease based on intrathymic parathyroid glands is a relevant problem during initial surgery for rHPT. Thus, routine bilateral cervical thymectomy that is as complete as possible is essential during the initial PTX for rHPT.     

Parathyroidectomy for patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism in a changing landscape for the management of end-stage renal disease

BackgroundThe landscape of patients with end-stage renal disease is changing with the increasing availability of kidney transplantation. In the near future, a less aggressive approach to treat secondary hyperparathyroidism might be beneficial. We report outcomes of parathyroidectomy for end-stage renal disease–related hyperparathyroidism comparing the outcomes of limited, subtotal, and total parathyroidectomy.MethodsWe performed a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data. Patients were divided into 3 parathyroidectomy subgroups: limited (<3 glands removed), subtotal (3–3.5 glands), and total (4 glands) parathyroidectomy. Primary outcome was serum levels of parathyroid hormone. Secondary endpoints were serum levels of calcium, phosphate, and alkaline phosphatase, postoperative complications, and persistent or recurrent disease rates.ResultsIn total, 195 patients were included for analysis of whom 13.8% underwent limited parathyroidectomy, 46.7% subtotal parathyroidectomy, and 39.5% total parathyroidectomy. Preoperative parathyroid hormone levels (pg/mL) were 471 (210–868), 1,087 (627–1,795), and 1,070 (475–1,632) for the limited, subtotal, and total parathyroidectomy groups, respectively (P < .001). A decrease in serum parathyroid hormone was seen in all groups; however, postoperative levels remained greater in the limited parathyroidectomy group compared to the subtotal and total parathyroidectomy groups (P < .001). Serum calcium, phosphate, and alkaline phosphatase levels decreased in all groups to within the reference range. In the limited parathyroidectomy group, persistent disease and recurrence occurred more frequently (P = .02 and P = .07, respectively).ConclusionSubtotal parathyroidectomy is the optimal strategy in an era with an increasing availability of kidney transplantation and improved regimens of dialysis. In this changing practice, the approach to parathyroid surgery, however, might shift to a less aggressive and patient-tailored approach.     

Preoperative localization of supernumerary and ectopic parathyroid glands in patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism

The undetectable supernumerary and ectopic parathyroid glands have a high risk of persistent and recurrent hyperparathyroidism, especially in the patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism. Preoperative image diagnosis, CT scan, echogram and 201T1C1 scintigram were very useful for detecting supernumerary and ectopic parathyroid glands in our 132 patients who underwent parathyroidectomy for secondary hyperparathyroidism. Among these methods the scintigraphy showed the highest detection rate of the glands in the thymic tongue and in the upper mediastinum. CT scan showed the best detection rate of the glands located in the thyroid gland and those located between the thyroid gland and trachea. The echography was useful in detecting the glands in the thyroid gland, but could not offer easy visualization those located in the mediastinum. Even the ectopic parathyroid glands, weighing more than 500 mg were identifiable at about 90% when all the methods were applied routinely. In our experience, four patients had a supernumerary gland which was detected by the preoperative image diagnostic procedures at the initial surgery. One patient had a supernumerary gland in the mediastinum which was detected by image diagnosis after the initial operation and was removed at reoperation.     

Hypercalcemia with a parathyroid hormone level of ≤50 pg/mL: Is this primary hyperparathyroidism?

BackgroundPrimary hyperparathyroidism is characterized by hypercalcemia with inappropriately normal or elevated parathyroid hormone. However, the absolute parathyroid hormone value that is defined as inappropriately normal is unclear. We reviewed our experience with parathyroidectomy in patients with hypercalcemia and parathyroid hormone of ≤50.0 pg/mL (normal range 12.0–88.0 pg/mL).MethodsA total of 2,349 patients underwent parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism between 2000 and 2021. Of these, 149 patients had preoperative parathyroid hormone ≤50.0 pg/mL (parathyroid hormone ≤50). The biology and outcomes were compared to patients with parathyroid hormone >50.0 pg/mL (parathyroid hormone >50).ResultsOf the parathyroid hormone ≤50 patients, the median parathyroid hormone was 40.0 pg/mL (range 11.6–50.0 pg/mL). All patients were found to have abnormal hypercellular parathyroid glands with a cure rate of 96.7%. When compared to the parathyroid hormone >50 group, the parathyroid hormone ≤50 group was younger (56 ± 15 vs 60 ± 14 years, P < .001) with a lower body mass index (28.7 ± 7.0 kg/m² vs 31.2 ± 7.9 kg/m², P < .001), higher rate of fatigue (73.2% vs 63.0%, P = .033), and higher rate of multiglandular disease (58.9% vs 31.9%, P < .001). There was no difference between the groups with respect to patient demographics, rate of previous parathyroidectomy, surgical cure, or postoperative complications (persistent or recurrent hyperparathyroidism and hypocalcemia).ConclusionPatients with hypercalcemia and parathyroid hormone ≤50 pg/mL have a similar clinical presentation and rate of surgical cure to other primary hyperparathyroidism patients and should be considered for parathyroidectomy. Most of these patients have multiglandular disease and thus should be considered for bilateral parathyroid exploration.     

Primary hyperparathyroidism in MEN 1 – how radical should surgery be?

Primary hyperparathyroidism is the most common manifestation of MEN 1 syndrome. The management of these patients is complex due to the underlying disease process, which predisposes patients to persistent and recurrent disease. The surgical treatment of patients with MEN 1 and hyperparathyroidism can therefore be considered to be palliative in nature. The basic principles of surgery include (1) obtaining and maintaining normocalcaemia for the longest time possible, avoiding persistent/recurrent hypercalcaemia, (2) avoiding surgically induced hypocalcaemia, and (3) facilitating future surgery for recurrent disease. Two approaches have been described as the best practice for patients with hyperparathyroidism in MEN 1: subtotal parathyroidectomy, leaving a remnant of no more than 60 mg in the neck, and total parathyroidectomy with immediate autotransplantation of 10-20 1 mm(3) pieces of parathyroid tissue. Both approaches should be combined with efforts to exclude supernumerary glands and ectopic parathyroid tissue by including resection of fatty tissue from the central neck compartment and thymectomy in all patients. Cryopreservation of parathyroid tissue should be performed whenever facilities are available. In patients with persistent or recurrent disease, an attempt to obtain total elimination of cervical parathyroid tissue is justified, combined with cryopreservation of parathyroid tissue. As radical as surgery is for hyperparathyroidism in MEN 1, the surgeon must take steps to avoid permanent hypoparathyroidism, which in young patients may be worse than the disease itself.     

Outpatient video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for ectopic mediastinal parathyroid adenoma: a case report and review of the literature

Up to 20% of abnormal parathyroid glands causing primary or secondary hyperparathyroidism are located ectopically. Of these, approximately 1%-2% reside in the mediastinum and may not always be resectable through a traditional cervical approach. Recently, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) has arisen as a minimally invasive method for resecting mediastinal parathyroid glands and avoiding the complications and higher morbidity of a sternotomy. In this paper, we present a case of a patient with asymptomatic hyperparathyroidism and an ectopic parathyroid on sestamibi imaging in the mediastinum. Initially, the patient underwent a bilateral cervical exploration, left upper parathyroidectomy, and partial thymectomy; however, postoperatively, he continued to have persistently elevated serum calcium and parathyroid hormone levels. Ultimately, management consisted of parathyroidectomy through a VATS approach, along with intraoperative parathyroid assay monitoring and frozen-section pathologic analysis. The patient was successfully discharged to home several hours after surgery. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of mediastinal ectopic parathyroid adenoma treated with outpatient VATS.     

Total parathyroidectomy with forearm autograft for secondary hyperparathyroidism in chronic renal failure.

One hundred twenty-eight patients with chronic renal failure and secondary hyperparathyroidism underwent total parathyroidectomy with forearm autograft. Postoperative clinical improvement was remarkable. In all cases, the grafted tissue functioned well, and reimplantation of the cryopreserved parathyroid tissues was unnecessary. Intact 1-84 parathyroid hormone was more sensitive than C-terminal parathyroid hormone in parathyroid hormone level (PTH) gradient assays of grafted and nongrafted forearm. The study of hypocalcemia was also helpful in obtaining more distinct PTH gradients. Five of 119 patients had supernumerary parathyroid glands (4.2%), which preoperative noninvasive image diagnosis of parathyroid glands was helpful in detecting.     

Hyperparathyroidism in patients with chronic renal failure: subtotal parathyroidectomy or total parathyroidectomy with autotransplantation? Experience with 121 cases

From 1973 to 1988 121 patients with chronic renal failure underwent parathyroidectomy (PTX) for secondary hyperparathyroidism. The surgical decision was made upon clinical and/or radiological signs and symptoms. Two kinds of operation were performed: Subtotal PTX 87 cases; Total PTX + parathyroid autograft 34 cases. Post-operative results are discussed. For all cases, the authors emphasize: the need of transcervical thymectomy (ectopic supernumerary gland = 17.3%); the need of routine cryopreservation. Subtotal PTX should be the routine operation. Total PTX with autograft is elicited when a combined thyroidectomy is performed, if parathyroid remnant's blood supply is questionable and in case of recurrent Secondary HPT.     

Autogenous parathyroid grafts for generalized primary parathyroid hyperplasia: contrasting outcome in sporadic hyperplasia versus multiple endocrine neoplasia type I

Sixteen patients with generalized primary parathyroid hyperplasia were treated with attempted total parathyroidectomy and placement of an autogenous parathyroid graft in the forearm musculature; these patients have been followed for up to 79 months. We assessed completeness of parathyroidectomy on the basis of the background immunoreactive parathyroid hormone (iPTH) value 3 to 7 days after surgery, which predicted the chance of a graft-independent recurrence or persistence of hyperparathyroidism (0/8 if undetectable versus 4/5 if normal or high). Total parathyroidectomy was sometimes difficult to achieve because of the presence of supernumerary or ectopic parathyroid glands; to enhance the success rate of total parathyroidectomy, we suggest both the use of preoperative ultrasonography to locate intrathyroidal parathyroids and a routine search for supernumerary parathyroids that includes transcervical thymectomy. Graft function was monitored by measuring the secretory gradient for iPTH (the difference between the two antecubital fossae). Gradients on postoperative days 3 to 7 were barely detectable, but by 3 weeks, larger iPTH gradients were noted in every case. By 4 months, the graft could maintain normal serum calcium levels in all but one case. Autonomous graft function has evolved in four of six evaluable patients with type I multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN I), but in none of the nine patients with sporadic hyperplasia (p = 0.043). A prospective study is needed to determine whether the use of a smaller number of parathyroid fragments for the autogenous graft in known MEN I patients might delay recurrence.     

Tertiary hyperparathyroidism: histologic patterns of disease and results of parathyroidectomy

HYPOTHESIS: Patients with tertiary hyperparathyroidism (THPT) commonly have parathyroid hyperplasia and should have a bilateral neck exploration with subtotal or total parathyroidectomy with autotransplantation to obtain long-term cure. DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Tertiary referral medical center. PATIENTS: Thirty-four consecutive patients (21 women and 13 men; mean age, 48 years) who underwent neck exploration for THPT. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Sites and histologic pattern of parathyroid disease, and postoperative normalization of serum calcium and parathyroid hormone levels. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients underwent initial bilateral neck exploration and 7 patients underwent repeat neck exploration for persistent or recurrent THPT. The mean serum total calcium level was 11.2 mg/dL (2.8 mmol/L) (range, 10.3-13.5 mg/dL [2.6-3.4 mmol/L]) and the mean intact parathyroid hormone level was 355 ng/L (range, 95-1236 ng/L). The THPT was due to 4-gland hyperplasia in 33 patients and a single adenoma in only 1 patient. The parathyroid glands were in the normal position in 23 patients and in ectopic locations in 11 patients (8 intrathymic, 1 carotid sheath, 1 tracheoesophageal groove, and 1 intramuscular). Preoperative localizing studies did not identify ectopic or supernumerary glands in any of the patients (ultrasonography, 14 patients; technetium Tc 99m sestamibi, 15; and magnetic resonance imaging, 7). Persistent (n = 5) and recurrent (n = 2) THPT was more common in patients who had an initial 1- or 2-gland excision instead of subtotal or total parathyroidectomy with autotransplantation (P<.001). Four patients had transient hypocalcemia (<8.0 mg/dL [<2.0 mmol/L]), and no other permanent complications or deaths occurred. Biochemical cure was achieved in 94% of patients with a mean follow-up of 4.8 years. CONCLUSIONS: Tertiary hyperparathyroidism is usually due to multiple hyperplastic parathyroid glands, and patients who have initial limited parathyroidectomy have a higher risk of persistent or recurrent THPT.     

Frequency of Ectopic and Supernumerary Intrathymic Parathyroid Glands in Patients with Renal Hyperparathyroidism: Analysis of 461 Patients Undergoing Initial Parathyroidectomy with Bilateral Cervical Thymectomy

Background  

The frequency of intrathymic parathyroid glands (IPGs) in patients undergoing parathyroidectomy for renal hyperparathyroidism (rHPT) varies considerably between 14.8% and 45.3%. Total parathyroidectomy with autotransplantation and subtotal parathyroidectomy are the most accepted surgical procedures to treat patients with rHPT. However, routine bilateral cervical thymectomy (BCT) is still discussed, although controversially.     

How low is too low? Intraoperative parathyroid hormone decline in normohormonal primary hyperparathyroidism

BackgroundIn normohormonal primary hyperparathyroidism, parathyroid hormone levels are normal but inappropriately elevated for the degree of hypercalcemia. The study goals were to determine intraoperative parathyroid hormone parameters predictive of (1) cure and (2) hypocalcemia in this subgroup.MethodsWe performed a retrospective cohort study comparing patients who underwent parathyroidectomy (2002–2019) for normohormonal and classic primary hyperparathyroidism. The primary outcomes were cure (calcium <10.3 mg/dL) and hypocalcemia (≤8.4 mg/dL) ≥6 months postoperatively.ResultsIn the study, 127 of 1,087 patients (11.7%) had normohormonal primary hyperparathyroidism. The groups experienced similar rates of cure (91.3% vs 94.1%, P = .23) and hypocalcemia (3.9% vs 2.9%, P = .53). However, intraoperative parathyroid hormone decline in cured patients was lower in those with normohormonal primary hyperparathyroidism (66.4% vs 84.5%, P < .0001). Receiver operating characteristic curves provided Youden’s indices of 52% and 75% (cure) and 75% and 88% (hypocalcemia) for patients with normohormonal and classic primary hyperparathyroidism, respectively. Cure rates with ≥50% intraoperative parathyroid hormone decline were similar (94.1% vs 95.0%, P = .72), but hypocalcemia was more prevalent in patients with normohormonal primary hyperparathyroidism and ≥70% intraoperative parathyroid hormone decline (10.4% vs 3.3%, P = .01).ConclusionIn patients with normohormonal primary hyperparathyroidism, intraoperative parathyroid hormone declines of ≥50% and ≥70% were predictive of postoperative cure and hypocalcemia, respectively. These parameters may inform intraoperative decision making and postoperative management.     

Hyperparathyroidism in multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome.

BACKGROUND. We analyzed clinical findings and results of parathyroidectomy in 42 patients treated from 1936 to 1988 at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) for primary hyperparathyroidism and multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) syndrome to document results of parathyroidectomy and reasons for failed parathyroid operations. METHODS. Of the 42 patients (38 had MEN 1 syndrome; 4 had MEN 2A syndrome), 40 patients were treated surgically: 29 had initial parathyroidectomy at UCSF; 11 were referred to UCSF because of MEN syndrome. Eight of these 11 patients required reoperation for persistent or recurrent hyperparathyroidism. Patients with hyperplasia were treated with subtotal parathyroidectomy; the glands of those patients with solitary or double adenomas were removed with or without biopsy of the normal appearing glands. RESULTS. Overall, in seven (50%) of 14 patients with hyperplasia, three (16%) of 19 patients with solitary adenoma, and one (14%) of seven patients with double adenomas, recurrent or persistent hyperparathyroidism developed. Failure in patients with hyperplasia was due to missed supernumerary glands (13%) and missed ectopic glands (33%). Failure occurred in patients with solitary (three patients) or double (one patient) parathyroid tumors because of unrecognized hyperplasia. None of the four patient with MEN 2A syndrome had persistent or recurrent disease, but hypoparathyroidism developed in one patient; hypoparathyroidism developed in three patients with MEN 1 syndrome. CONCLUSIONS. These data suggest that although many patients with primary hyperparathyroidism and MEN syndrome have multiple abnormal parathyroid glands, two populations of patients exist; one population has solitary or double adenomas and recurrence is uncommon, whereas the other population of patients has hyperplasia and persistent or recurrent disease is common.     

Surgical treatment of hyperparathyroidism in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1

HYPOTHESIS: Three-gland parathyroidectomy with trans-cervical thymectomy and cryopreservation is the preferred initial surgical approach for hyperparathyroidism (HPT) in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: Thirty-seven patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 who underwent 1 or more surgical procedures for HPT from January 1, 1973 to April 30, 2004. RESULTS: At initial parathyroid surgery, 16 (43%) of 37 patients had fewer than 3 parathyroid glands resected (group 1); 16 (43%) had at least 3 but fewer than 4 glands (group 2), and 5 (14%), 4 or more glands (group 3). Follow-up of at least 6 months after initial surgery was complete for 31 (84%) of 37 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Recurrent HPT in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 is frequent if fewer than 3 glands are removed at initial parathyroidectomy. Optimal surgical intervention must balance the risk of recurrent hypercalcemia with the morbidity of permanent hypoparathyroidism. Three-gland parathyroidectomy, transcervical thymectomy, and parathyroid cryopreservation constitute our preferred initial surgical procedure.     

Intraoperatives Parathormonmonitoring bei der Halsexploration wegen renalem Hyperparathyreoidismus?

Introduction. In operations for renal hyperparathyroidism the value of intraoperative parathormone monitoring was investigated. Patients and methods. Intraoperative intact parathyroid hormone levels were determined (PTH Quick assay) in 40 patients undergoing first cervical exploration and in two patients with graft-dependent recurrence of renal hyperparathyroidism. Results. In 33 patients, total parathyroidectomy with autotransplantation was carried out. The median parathormone levels decreased from 652 pg/ml to 120 pg/ml (19% of initial level) 5 min after total parathyroidectomy. In seven patients, fewer than 4 parathyroid glands each were identified during cervical exploration and “total parathyroidectomy (?)” without autotransplantation was performed. Intraoperatively median parathormone level decreased from 1193 pg/ml to 116 pg/ml (10% of initial level). In one of these seven patients, hyperparathyroidism persisted due to an ectopic fourth gland within the carotid sheath. In two of these patients, hypoparathyroidism occurred and a delayed autotransplantation of cryopreserved parathyroid tissue was carried out. On the first day after total parathyroidectomy with autotransplantation and “total parathyroidectomy (?)”, median levels of intact parathyroid hormone were 1.9 pg/ml and 82.5 pg/ml, respectively. Conclusion. Intraoperative monitoring is not useful in first cervical exploration for renal hyperparathyroidism because it cannot predict complete resection of parathyroid tissue. The parathormone level on the first postoperative day allows precise evaluation of the efficacy of the surgical procedure.     

Secondary and tertiary hyperparathyroidism: role of preoperative localization

BACKGROUND: The usefulness of both technetium Tc-99m sestamibi (MIBI) scintigraphy and ultrasonography (USG) scan for the detection of enlarged parathyroid glands secondary to renal hyperparathyroidism is rarely addressed. METHODS: A retrospective study from July 1999 to June 2005 was carried out on patients with secondary and tertiary hyperparathyroidism to determine the role of preoperative localization. RESULTS: In the 5 years, 73 patients with renal hyperparathyroidism underwent initial bilateral neck exploration with total parathyroidectomy. Four patients underwent neck exploration with parathyroidectomy for persistent hyperparathyroidism. Two patients underwent neck exploration with parathyroidectomy for recurrent hyperparathyroidism. For patients with initial secondary/tertiary hyperparathyroidism, MIBI scintigraphy correctly showed 101 of 276 (36.6%) surgically confirmed enlarged parathyroids, whereas USG scan showed 99 of 276 (35.9%) surgically confirmed enlarged parathyroids. For persistent or recurrent secondary/tertiary hyperparathyroidism, MIBI scintigraphy and USG scan had sensitivity of 100 and 50%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, preoperative localization studies have a limited value when used before first neck exploration in secondary/tertiary hyperparathyroidism because of the poor results in identifying all parathyroid glands. In persistent/recurrent hyperparathyroidism, it may play a useful role in localization of the missed or ectopic parathyroid gland.     

The number of needle passes affects the accuracy of parathyroid hormone assay with intraoperative parathyroid aspiration

IntroductionIntraoperative aspiration of a nodule and parathyroid hormone (PTH) assay has been shown to accurately confirm parathyroid tissue. However, the reported aspiration technique varies in the literature. We sought to determine if the number of passes affected the accuracy of PTH analysis.MethodsA prospective analysis was performed on 25 consecutive patients who underwent a parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism. The excised parathyroid gland was aspirated using 1, 3, and 5 passes. The data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon rank, chi-square, and Fisher exact tests to calculate the 2-tailed P value.ResultsOf the 26 glands aspirated, the mean PTH value varied with the number of passes, 2,073 pg/mL for 1 pass, 2,347 for 3 passes, and 2,695 for 5 passes (P = .02). Accuracy was dependent on the number of passes, with 5 passes (P = .018) having less PTH variation than 1 or 3 passes.ConclusionsAspiration of nodules to determine the PTH level helps confirm the presence of parathyroid tissue. The number of needle passes affects the accuracy of the PTH level, with 5 passes being the optimal number of passes to attain no false-negative results.     

Outcome of parathyroidectomy for patients with renal disease and hyperparathyroidism: predictors for recurrent hyperparathyroidism

Background: A small group of patients with renal disease‐related secondary or tertiary hyperparathyroidism require surgical parathyroidectomy. Among them, 5–20% require further re‐exploration and excision of parathyroid tissue because of recurrent disease. The aims of the present study were to review the characteristics and outcomes of patients undergoing parathyroidectomy for renal disease related hyperparathyroidism and to identify the risk factors for recurrent hyperparathyroidism. Methods: Review of data from a dedicated head and neck database at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital between 1988 and 2004. Results: There were 115 patients of whom 68 (59%) patients were treated with subtotal parathyroidectomy (STP), 43 (37%) were treated with total parathyroidectomy (TP) and 4 (3%) were treated with TP with autotransplant. Of those, 11 (9.6%) patients developed recurrent hyperparathyroidism (9 had STP, 1 had TP and 1 had TP with autotransplant). On re‐exploration, persistent hyperplastic parathyroid tissue was located at the site of partially excised parathyroid gland (64%), autotransplanted parathyroid tissue (9%), anterior mediastinum (18%) and intrathyroidal parathyroid (9%). Predictors for recurrent hyperparathyroidism are STP (P= 0.049), preoperative symptom of calciphylaxis or calcinosis (P= 0.024), elevated preoperative calcium level (P= 0.007) and elevated post‐operative PTH levels (P= 0.014). Post‐operative PTH levels less than 10 pmol/L has a positive predictive value of 97.5% for cure (P= 0.02). Conclusion: More aggressive surgical approach could be indicated in patients with preoperative hypercalcaemia and calcinosis/calciphylaxis. Post‐operative PTH can be utilized as a marker for cure after parathyroidectomy in hyperparathyroidism of renal disease.     

Embryonic parathyroid rests occur commonly and have implications in the management of secondary hyperparathyroidism

Background: Recurrence after surgery for secondary hyperparathyroidism is not infrequent. Regrowth of the residual parathyroid tissue after subtotal parathyroidectomy or of the autograft after total parathyroidectomy occurs in many cases. Supernumerary glands are also frequently cited as the offending cause and upon revisiting the neck, the surgeon may be surprised that such an obvious gland was ‘missed’ at the first operation. Indeed, multiple glands removed in sequential operations have been reported suggesting that they develop over time rather than being present from the start. It is possible that microscopic parathyroid ‘rests’ of embryological origin proliferate under the ongoing stimulus of renal failure to produce supernumerary glands after apparently adequate initial surgery for hyperparathyroidism. The aim of the present study was to determine whether such rests occur frequently or infrequently. Methods: Operative details and pathology results from 60 consecutive parathyroidectomies were reviewed and the occurrence of parathyroid rests noted. Results: Parathyroid rests were found in 37% of extra parathyroidal tissues submitted for analysis. These rests were found commonly in the thymus. The potential significance of such parathyroid rests undergoing hyperplasia in response to the ongoing stimulus of renal failure and leading to recurrent hyperparathyroidism is discussed. Conclusion: Parathyroid rests are common and potentially serve as a cause of recurrent disease in secondary hyperparathyroidism. Consideration should be given to performing thymectomy as part of the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism. A more detailed study is warranted.