Immediate and medium-term results of intraoperative parathyroid hormone monitoring during video-assisted parathyroidectomy

HYPOTHESIS: Using an intraoperative parathyroid hormone (IOPTH) assay during video-assisted parathyroidectomy by lateral approach is useful in patients with sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism, and the medium-term results of surgery are excellent. DESIGN: Retrospective study of patients with sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism following video-assisted parathyroidectomy by lateral approach with IOPTH measurement. PATIENTS: Of 394 patients with sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism, 200 (67%) were eligible for video-assisted parathyroidectomy by lateral approach: patients in whom a single enlarged gland was clearly localized by ultrasonography, sestamibi scintigraphy, or both. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: An IOPTH assay was used in 198 patients. Intraoperative parathyroid hormone was measured at induction, skin incision, ablation, and 5 and 15 minutes after ablation. RESULTS: The immediate results of the IOPTH assay were true positive in 187 cases (94.4%), true negative in 8 cases (4%), false negative in 2 cases (1%), and false positive in 1 case (0.5%). The overall accuracy of the IOPTH assay was 98.5%. All patients were normocalcemic postoperatively. The median follow-up was 20.5 months in 150 reviewed: 149 patients (99.4%) were normocalcemic, 17 patients (11.3%) had an elevated PTH level with normocalcemia, and 1 patient (0.6%) had recurrent primary hyperparathyroidism. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, IOPTH monitoring during video-assisted parathyroidectomy by lateral approach is useful in detecting multiple gland disease not suspected by preoperative localization studies. Overall, IOPTH monitoring predicts medium-term normocalcemia with a success rate of 98.5% in patients with sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism.     

Value of Intraoperative Parathyroid Hormone Monitoring

Background Routine use of intraoperative parathyroid hormone (IOPTH) has been challenged in both unilateral/limited (LE) and bilateral exploration (BE). To investigate this, we assessed the usefulness of IOPTH in surgical management of primary hyperparathyroidism and parathyroid carcinoma (PC). Methods Between 1998 and 2006, 1133 patients were explored for hyperparathyroidism: 185 LE, 743 BE with IOPTH, 95 BE without IOPTH, 110 reoperations, and 4 PCs. IOPTH patterns were correlated with parathyroid pathology (single adenoma [SA] or multigland disease [MGD]) and operative success. Results In LE, IOPTH returned to normal in 78% of patients; all patients had SA, and 99% were cured at a mean ± SEM of 1.2 ± .24 years; 22% of LE patients (n = 41) whose IOPTH did not return to normal were converted to BE, and all had MGD. BE with and without IOPTH was equally successful 97% and 98% (P = NS) of the time, respectively. In BE in which IOPTH did not return to normal, 9% of patients remained hypercalcemic; tumor distribution mirrored other BE patients (75% SA, 25% MGD). In reoperations, a normal final IOPTH correlated with cure in 99%; otherwise, 59% had persistent disease. Differential bilateral internal jugular vein IOPTH sampling lateralized disease in 77% of reoperations. Conclusions IOPTH is an important adjunct for successful LE by identifying the presence of MGD and avoiding operative failure. IOPTH adds little to BE; however, final IOPTH values may predict persistent disease in BE, reoperations, and PCs.     

Interpretation of intraoperative parathyroid hormone monitoring in patients with baseline parathyroid hormone levels of <100 pg/mL

BACKGROUND: Common guidelines for intraoperative parathyroid hormone (IOPTH) interpretation are based on clearly elevated baseline parathyroid hormone (PTH) values. We hypothesize that patients with low-baseline levels (<100 pg/mL) have a higher incidence of multigland disease (MGD) and display differences in PTH kinetics compared with patients with high-baseline levels. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the cases of 1151 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism who underwent parathyroidectomy with IOPTH monitoring. Of these, 141 patients had low-baseline values. Multiple comparisons were made between the low-baseline and high-baseline groups. RESULTS: Twenty-six percent of the low-baseline patients had MGD versus 15% of the high-baseline patients (P = .002). The PTH kinetics differed between groups after gland excision at both 5 and 10 minutes. Adherence solely to the "50% rule" during minimally invasive parathyroidectomy potentially would have missed 25% of patients with MGD in the low-baseline group versus 10% in the high-baseline group; 5.7% of the low-baseline patients had persistent or recurrent hypercalcemia versus 2.9% of the high-baseline patients. CONCLUSION: MGD is significantly more prevalent among low-baseline patients, and PTH kinetics are somewhat different between groups. The current guidelines that are used for IOPTH monitoring may not be ideal for use in this low-baseline group and will likely need to be revised after further study of this group of patients.     

Reoperative parathyroidectomy in 228 patients during the era of minimal-access surgery and intraoperative parathyroid hormone monitoring

Background

Reoperative parathyroidectomy (R-PTX) in primary hyperparathyroidism (1HPT) has increased failure rates and morbidity. This study evaluated R-PTX during the era of minimal-access PTX with intraoperative parathyroid hormone (IOPTH) monitoring.

Methods

Two thousand sixty-five patients with 1HPT who underwent PTX were assessed for R-PTX. Preoperative studies, operative findings, and outcomes were evaluated.

Results

Two hundred twenty-eight patients underwent 236 R-PTX procedures. Imaging performed included sestamibi (89%), ultrasound (US; 56%), computed axial tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (5%), and selective venous sampling (1%). Sestamibi was more sensitive than US (84% vs 68%). Curative surgery was performed in 89% of patients. IOPTH was 99% sensitive. There was no relationship between cure and the following parameters: preoperative calcium or PTH levels, persistent or recurrent disease, or use of IOPTH. Solitary gland disease and a single previous operation were associated with increased likelihood of cure (P = .06). Hypoparathyroidism was decreased using IOPTH monitoring (2% vs 9%). One patient had recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy.

Conclusions

R-PTX can be performed effectively with minimal complications. IOPTH is an accurate predictor of cure and may decrease the frequency of permanent hypoparathyroidism.     

The additional value of intraoperative parathyroid hormone assessment is marginal in patients with nonfamilial primary hyperparathyroidism: a prospective cohort study

BackgroundThe success of minimally invasive parathyroidectomy is attributed to evolving preoperative imaging techniques and intraoperative parathyroid hormone (IOPTH) measurement. The additional value of IOPTH measurement in patients undergoing surgery for primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) was evaluated.MethodsBetween 1999 and 2010 there were 119 patients who underwent surgery for pHPT at our institutions. In all patients, preoperative imaging was performed and IOPTH samples were collected prospectively but the results were not disclosed during surgery.ResultsPostoperative calcium level normalized in 114 patients (96%). The 5 surgical failures represented the maximum yield of IOPTH sampling. Three of these patients would have been identified intraoperatively by an inadequate IOPTH decrease, whereas IOPTH decreased inaccurately in the other 2 patients. In addition, in 1 of these 3 patients no abnormal gland was found during minimally invasive parathyroidectomy and subsequent conventional neck exploration. Therefore, only 2 reoperations would have been prevented (1.7%).ConclusionsIOPTH would have changed the outcome in 2 patients, increasing the biochemical cure rate from 96% to 98%. We believe that although it can be helpful in certain cases, it may not be necessary routinely in patients treated for pHPT.     

Does the Final Intraoperative PTH Level Really Have to Fall into the Normal Range to Signify Cure?

Background

Intraoperative parathyroid hormone (IOPTH) helps shorten the duration of surgery and increase the likelihood of surgical cure. Although general consensus agrees that the IOPTH should fall by 50%, there is much debate as to whether the IOPTH needs to fall into the normal range.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed a prospective database of patients undergoing surgery for treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism. We included all patients with an IOPTH that fell by >50% by 10 or 15?min, but that did not fall into the normal range (parathyroid hormone remained ??60?pg/ml). We excluded patients who had undergone prior neck surgery or had known multiple endocrine neoplasia 1 or 2.

Results

A total of 1,231 patients underwent a parathyroidectomy, 155 of whom met the study??s inclusion/exclusion criteria (12.6%). A total of 117 patients had an IOPTH fall by 50% by 10?min, and 38?patients?? IOPTH fell by 50% by 15?min. Overall surgical cure rate was 98.7%. One patient from the 10-minute group and one patient from the 15-minute group had persistent disease on follow-up. One patient in the 15-minute group had recurrent disease. With a mean?±?SEM 18.1?±?2.1?months?? follow-up, the recurrence rate in this cohort was 0.6%. The average calcium at last follow-up was 9.4?±?0.0?mg/dl.

Conclusions

Allowing the IOPTH to fall by 50% by 15?min, regardless of whether the IOPTH falls into the normal range, results in a high success rate when performed by experienced surgeons. This helps reduce intraoperative time used waiting for additional parathyroid hormone levels and the risks associated with unnecessary bilateral neck exploration.     

原发性甲状旁腺机能亢进患者术中监测甲状旁腺激素的临床意义

目的：探讨原发性甲状旁腺机能亢进症（PHPT）患者术中动态监测甲状旁腺激素（IOPTH）的临床价值。 方法：回顾性分析1998年1月—2012年1月行手术治疗的36例PHPT患者的临床资料,其中2005年以后术中行IOPTH监测患者22例（IOPTH组）,2005年以前术中未行IOPTH监测的患者14例（常规组）,比较两组的术中情况与治疗效果。 结果：与常规组比较,IOPTH组手术时间明显缩短[（72.95±24.34）min vs.（81.86±29.46）min,P=0.000],术后短期（1个月内）甲状旁腺功能恢复患者比例增加（90.9% vs. 57.1%,P=0.018）,永久性甲状旁腺功能减退发生率明显减少（4.5% vs. 28.6%,P=0.042）。IOPTH监测对于判断高功能病灶完全切除与否的敏感度为100%,准确率为95.5%。 结论：PHPT手术中,在术前定位基础上联合IOPTH,有助于判断功能亢进腺体是否全部切除,避免遗漏多发病变腺体及不必要的双侧探查,缩短手术时间,疗效确切。     

Accuracy of preoperative localization studies and intraoperative parathyroid hormone assay in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism and double adenoma

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this retrospective investigation was to evaluate the results of preoperative localization studies and intraoperative parathyroid hormone (IOPTH) assay in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism and double adenomas. STUDY DESIGN: Twenty-one of 287 consecutive patients with primary hyperparathyroidism who had double adenomas identified during first-time parathyroid exploration between July 1999 and September 2002 were analyzed. Individual and combined accuracy of preoperative localization studies, and IOPTH assay and their influence on surgical strategy, were compared. RESULTS: Seven percent of these 287 patients had double adenomas. Fifteen of the patients were female and six were male with a mean age of 59 years (range 17 to 76 years). The accuracy of ultrasonography (US) and technetium 99m sestamibi ((99m)TC-sestamibi) was 40% and 30%, respectively, in this select group. Combined accuracy of both tests reached 60% and guided the surgeon to select a bilateral approach. After removal of the first gland, IOPTH failed to decrease by 50% relative to the highest baseline value in 43% of the cases, indicating other hyperfunctioning parathyroid glands. These results prompted the surgeon to explore further after an initially planned focused approach. When the combination of three tests was analyzed, at least one test accurately suggested a double adenoma in 80% of the patients; in 15% of the patients, no test was suggestive of a double adenoma and in 5% the sestamibi scan was false positive. CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective investigation documents that neither preoperative localization tests nor IOPTH assay accurately document double adenomas in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. The combined accuracy of US, sestamibi, and IOPTH assay predicted a double adenoma in 80% of the patients.     

Utility of Intraoperative Parathyroid Hormone Monitoring in Patients with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1-Associated Primary Hyperparathyroidism Undergoing Initial Parathyroidectomy

Background

Intraoperative parathyroid hormone monitoring (IOPTH) is a widely used adjunct for primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT). However, the benefit of IOPTH in familial pHPT, such as in multiple endocrine neoplasia type I (MEN1), remains unclear.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of 52 patients with MEN1-associated pHPT undergoing initial parathyroidectomy with IOPTH monitoring at our institution. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels were measured before skin incision and 10 min after resection of the last parathyroid gland. Variables analyzed included percent drop of PTH from baseline and the final PTH level compared to the normal reference range (RR).

Results

A total of 52 patients underwent initial subtotal parathyroidectomy with IOPTH. An IOPTH decrease cutoff of ≥75 % from baseline had the highest biochemical cure rate (87 %). In the remaining 13 % who met this cutoff, all had persistent pHPT, with ≥90 % drop of PTH from baseline. The remaining patients, who did not meet the ≥75 % cutoff, were cured. Follow-up was available for three of four patients with final IOPTH levels above the RR: one had persistent pHPT, two had hypoparathyroidism (50 %). When a postresection PTH level was within the RR, 88 % of patients were cured. While considered cured from pHPT, 7 % of patients in this group developed permanent hypoparathyroidism. When the final PTH level dropped below the RR, 28 % developed permanent hypoparathyroidism.

Conclusions

A cutoff in IOPTH decrease of ≥75 % from baseline has the highest biochemically cure rate in patients with pHPT associated with MEN1. However, a 75 % cutoff in IOPTH decrease does not exclude persistent pHPT. The absolute IOPTH value does not accurately predict postoperative hypoparathyroidism.     

The impact of vitamin D status and tumor size on the intraoperative parathyroid hormone dynamics in patients with symptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism

Purpose

The intraoperative parathyroid hormone (IOPTH) monitoring is a useful adjunct for predicting whether a cure has been obtained during parathyroidectomy. We studied the influence of vitamin D status and parathyroid tumor weight on the IOPTH dynamics for predicting a cure in patients with symptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism.

Methods

Fifty-nine primary hyperparathyroidism patients with a single adenoma underwent curative surgery. Patients were grouped according to their serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels (deficient, insufficient and sufficient) and tumor weights (small, large and giant). The IOPTH results in patient groups were compared, and the percentage of the IOPTH decrease was examined for a correlation with the serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D level and tumor weight.

Results

The sensitivity, specificity and overall accuracy of IOPTH in predicting a cure of hyperparathyroidism were 94.8, 100 and 93.2%, respectively. The percentage decrease in the IOTPH was significantly higher in the vitamin D deficient, compared to the vitamin D sufficient patients (p?=?0.012); and in the patients with larger tumors, compared to those with smaller parathyroid tumors (p?=?0.02). A statistically significant correlation was found between the percentage decrease in the IOPTH at 10?min post-tumor excision and the serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D level (p?=?0.037), but not with the tumor weight (p?=?0.208).

Conclusions

The IOPTH can accurately predict a cure in patients with severe primary hyperparathyroidism. The percentage of decrease in the IOPTH is steeper in patients with lower serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels and larger parathyroid tumors.     

Revisiting lithium-associated hyperparathyroidism in the era of intraoperative parathyroid hormone monitoring

BACKGROUND: Chronic lithium therapy may cause hyperparathyroidism (HPT). The utility of intraoperative parathyroid hormone monitoring (IOPTH) in these patients is unknown. The authors' hypothesis was that multiglandular disease is more common in these patients, and the ability of IOPTH to predict cure may be limited. METHODS: Twelve patients had HPT during chronic lithium therapy and underwent parathyroidectomy with IOPTH. Criteria for curative resection were a decrease > or =50% from baseline and into the normal range. Calcium and PTH levels were measured during follow-up. RESULTS: Preoperatively, mean calcium was 11.0 +/- 0.1 mg/dL, and PTH was 116 +/- 14 pg/mL. Fifty percent of patients had multiglandular disease confirmed by IOPTH levels. Mean IOPTH decrease from baseline was 74 +/- 4%. Although 10 of 12 patients met criteria for curative resection, only 8 remain normocalcemic. The 2 patients who did not meet criteria remain normocalcemic. Mean postoperative calcium for all patients was 9.5 +/- 0.2 mg/dL. Of the 10 normocalcemic patients, 4 also have hyperparathormonemia (mean PTH, 119 +/- 19 pg/mL). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of multiglandular disease in HPT after chronic lithium exposure is higher than standard HPT. The ability of IOPTH to predict durable normocalcemia is limited. Bilateral neck exploration should be considered for these patients regardless of whether IOPTH monitoring is used.     

The role of parathyroid hormone measurements after surgery for primary hyperparathyroidism

BACKGROUND: During parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT), intraoperative parathyroid hormone (IOPTH) levels are used to confirm removal of all hyperfunctioning parathyroid tissue. The phenomenon of elevated parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels with normocalcemia after curative parathyroidectomy, seen in up to 40% of patients, continues to be an unexpected and unexplained finding. We therefore investigated whether postoperative PTH levels are as reliable as IOPTH levels in predicting cure after surgery for pHPT. METHODS: We reviewed our prospective database of consecutive patients undergoing surgery for pHPT between December 1999 and November 2004. Curative parathyroidectomy was defined as normocalcemia 6 months or longer postoperatively. RESULTS: A total of 328 patients who underwent 330 operations for pHPT had IOPTH measurements and serum follow-up calcium levels at 6 months or longer. Surgery was curative in 315 (95.5%) operations. IOPTH levels correctly predicted operative success in 98.2% (positive predictive value [PPV]. Postoperatively, the PPV of a normal PTH level at 1 week, 3 months, and 6 months was 97.1%, 97.3%, and 96.5%, respectively. Of all patients with an elevated postoperative PTH level at 1 week, 3 months, or 6 months, only 13.7%, 14.3%, and 14%, respectively, were not cured. CONCLUSIONS: Normal postoperative PTH levels reliably predict operative success. However, they do not improve upon results predicted by IOPTH levels. Elevated postoperative PTH levels do not predict operative failure in most patients. We propose that PTH measurements after surgery for pHPT may be misleading, costly, and not indicated in normocalcemic patients.     

Reassessment of parathyroid hormone monitoring during parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism after 2 preoperative localization studies

HYPOTHESIS: For patients with primary hyperparathyroidism and patients with 2 localization studies showing the same single location of parathyroid disease, use of intraoperative parathyroid hormone (IOPTH) measurement does not significantly increase the success of minimally invasive parathyroidectomy. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Experience of 2 academic centers over 5 years (at Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Mass) and almost 4 years (at Rhode Island Hospital, Providence). PATIENTS: A total of 569 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism who underwent technetium Tc 99m sestamibi (MIBI) parathyroid imaging and neck ultrasonography (US). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Incidence of correct prediction of location and extent of disease. RESULTS: In 322 patients (57%), MIBI and US imaging identified the same single site of disease. In 319 (99%) of these 322 patients, surgical exploration confirmed a parathyroid adenoma at that site, and the IOPTH levels normalized on removal. In 3 (1%) of the 322 patients, IOPTH measurement identified unsuspected additional disease. In 3 (1%) of the remaining 319 patients, IOPTH-guided removal of a single adenoma failed to correct hypercalcemia. Therefore, the failure rate of surgery in patients with positive MIBI and positive US imaging was 1% with IOPTH measurement and 2% without IOPTH measurement (P = .50). In 201 (35%) of the 569 patients, only 1 of the 2 studies recognized an abnormality or the studies disagreed on location. In these cases, either MIBI imaging or US imaging (if MIBI imaging was negative) failed to predict the correct site or extent of disease in 76 (38%) of the 201 patients (P<.001 vs concordant studies). CONCLUSIONS: In primary hyperparathyroidism, concordant preoperative localization with MIBI and US imaging is highly accurate. Use of IOPTH measurement in these cases adds only marginal benefit. When only 1 of the 2 studies identifies disease or the studies conflict, however, IOPTH measurement remains essential during minimally invasive parathyroidectomy.     

Persistently elevated parathyroid hormone levels after parathyroid surgery

BACKGROUND: Persistent elevation of serum parathyroid hormone (PTH), despite normocalcemia, occurs in 8% to 40% of patients after parathyroidectomy. Explanations have included hypocalcemia owing to vitamin D deficiency or bone remineralization, and persistent hyperparathyroidism. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of 816 consecutive patients who underwent surgery for primary hyperparathyroidism was conducted. RESULTS: One hundred fourteen patients (15%) had persistently elevated PTH levels (PPTH). Patients with PPTH had higher preoperative PTH levels than those with normal PTH levels postoperatively. They also had lower postoperative Ca(++) and vitamin D levels. Multiple gland enlargement was identified in fewer patients with PPTH than in those with normal postoperative PTH levels. In patients with PPTH and a postoperative Ca(++) less than 9.6 mg/dL (group I), there was a greater decrease in IOPTH, a higher initial postoperative PTH level, and a lower postoperative vitamin D level than in PPTH patients whose postoperative Ca(++) was > or =9.6 mg/dL (group II). Postoperative Ca(++) and vitamin D levels were also lower in patients whose PPTH did not ultimately resolve. Three patients in group II had recurrent disease. CONCLUSIONS: Persistent elevation of postoperative serum PTH levels in normocalcemic patients is associated with mild hypocalcemia, probably owing to vitamin D deficiency. In some patients it may also be indicative of mild persistent hyperparathyroidism.     

The utility of a rapid parathyroid assay for uniglandular, multiglandular, and recurrent parathyroid disease

The rapid parathyroid hormone assay (rPTH) is an effective tool in minimally invasive resections of parathyroid adenomas. However, there are relatively few reports examining its utility in the full spectrum of parathyroid disease. The purpose of this study was to examine the utility of the rapid parathyroid hormone assay in uniglandular, multiglandular, and recurrent hyperparathyroidism. A retrospective analysis of all patients undergoing parathyroid resection from June 2001 to March 2003 was undertaken. All patients underwent preoperative localization studies. Rapid parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels were drawn immediately prior to and 10 minutes following parathyroid resection. A decline of > or = 50 per cent rPTH qualified as a successful/complete resection. Additional intraoperative samples were drawn as needed for patients with multiglandular disease. Of 46 treated patients who were examined (average age, 54 years), 30 had single, 12 patients had multigland disease, and 4 had recurrent/persistent hyperparathyroidism. Thirty-seven patients had primary hyperparathyroidism (32 with single and 3 with double adenomas; 2 with hyperplasia), 4 patients had secondary hyperparathyroidism, and 5 tertiary hyperparathyroidism. All procedures were considered successful, as every patient exhibited a postresection decrement in rPTH exceeding 50 per cent (average decrement, 91%). Although 2 patients exhibited a postoperative PTH increase exceeding 50 per cent of the preoperative value, all remained asymptomatic and eucalcemic (median follow-up, 21.5 months). The rPTH assay is an effective tool in determining success of parathyroidectomy in patients with primary uni- and multiglandular as well as recurrent hyperparathyroidism. It can be used to achieve minimally invasive neck dissections or guide surgical decision-making in more complex cases.     

Parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism: A retrospective analysis of localization,surgical characteristics,and treatment outcomes

ObjectiveTo evaluate parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) regarding localization, surgical characteristics, and treatment outcomes.MethodsSeventy-eight patients who underwent parathyroidectomy for PHPT were retrospectively reviewed. The results were analyzed according to intraoperative localization technique (IOLT), intraoperative parathyroid hormone (IOPTH) monitoring, and intraoperative nerve monitoring (IONM). The localization accuracy of ultrasonography (US), computed tomography (CT), and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)-CT with sestamibi Tc99m was evaluated.ResultsParathyroidectomy was successfully completed in all 78 patients, achieving 100% surgical cure. For 60 patients with IOPTH monitoring, 10-min IOPTH decreased >50% from baseline in 57 (95.0%), and they achieved surgical cure. In the remaining three (5.0%) patients with ≤50% decrease in 10-min IOPTH, 20-min IOPTH decreased >50% from baseline in two (3.3%) patients, achieving surgical cure without additional neck exploration. There were no differences in surgical cure and complications as a function of IOLT use or IOPTH monitoring. Operating time was significantly shorter with IOLT and IOPTH monitoring than without (IOLT: 70.9 min vs. 88.0 min, p = 0.013; IOPTH: 74.9 min vs. 91.9 min, p = 0.037). All 78 patients had adenoma including one patient with a double adenoma. Vocal cord paralysis was not observed in our series, regardless of IONM. US, CT, and SPECT-CT localized the pathological parathyroid gland accurately in 88.1%, 85.5%, and 86.8% of patients, respectively (p = 0.894).ConclusionThe surgical outcomes of parathyroidectomy for PHPT were excellent regardless of IOLT and IOPTH monitoring. However, these techniques can maximize the performance of parathyroid surgery by reducing operating time and rescuing challenging cases.     

Mediastinal parathyroid tumors

Mediastinal parathyroid tumors are a frequent cause of failed parathyroid operations. I therefore reviewed my experience with 285 consecutive patients treated surgically for hyperparathyroidism from January 1981 to Dec 31, 1986. Two hundred eighty-eight operations were performed on these patients (246 primary, 38 secondary, one error in diagnosis, and 53 reoperations). Mediastinal parathyroid tumors were present in 64 (22%) of the entire group of 285 patients with hyperparathyroidism, and 20 (38%) of 53 patients requiring reoperation for persistent or recurrent hyperparathyroidism. Fifty-two parathyroid tumors were situated in the anterior mediastinum and 12 were found in the posterior mediastinum; 56 of the mediastinal tumors were removed via a cervical approach. In four patients the mediastinal tumor was a fifth histologically documented parathyroid gland. Mediastinal tumors were identified by preoperative localization studies (ultrasonography, three [16%]; thallium-technetium, five of 17 [29%]; computed tomography, eight of 14 [57%]; magnetic resonance imaging, three of seven [43%]; and selective venous catheterization for parathyroid hormone, ten of 11 [91%]). Awareness of the relatively high occurrence of mediastinal tumors (52 anterior, 12 posterior) should decrease the risk of failed parathyroid operations.     

Focused parathyroid surgery with intraoperative parathyroid hormone measurement as a day-case procedure

BACKGROUND: This study assessed the feasibility, efficacy and safety of focused parathyroidectomy combined with intraoperative parathyroid hormone (IOPTH) measurement in a day-case setting. METHODS: Over 28 months 50 consecutive patients (mean age 63 (range 33-92) years) with clear evidence of unifocal disease on sestamibi scanning or ultrasonography underwent unilateral neck exploration via a small lateral incision. Blood samples for measurement of IOPTH were taken at induction of anaesthesia, before adenoma excision and after adenoma excision (at 5, 10 and 20 min). Ten patients were discharged within 23 h and 40 patients on the day of surgery. RESULTS: A solitary adenoma was identified in all but one patient, with a mean operating time of 30 (range 16-57) min. After parathyroidectomy, IOPTH levels fell appropriately except in one patient with multiglandular hyperplasia. No patient developed symptomatic hypocalcaemia during the 2 weeks after operation, enabling cessation of oral supplements. All patients remained normocalcaemic on follow-up (mean 26 (range 8-84) weeks) and histological examination confirmed parathyroid adenoma (48 patients), hyperplasia (one) or carcinoma (one). CONCLUSION: After accurate preoperative localization of uniglandular disease, patients with primary hyperparathyroidism may be managed successfully and safely by focused parathyroidectomy with IOPTH measurement as a day-case procedure.     

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.     

Intraoperative parathyroid hormone measurement during minimally invasive parathyroidectomy: does it "value-add" to decision-making?

BACKGROUND: Routine use of intraoperative parathyroid hormone levels (IOPTH) during minimally invasive parathyroidectomy (MIP) has been challenged simply because the test works best when needed least, ie, once a solitary adenoma has been resected, and is less accurate with multiple gland disease. It has also been shown not to be cost-effective. The aim of this study was to determine if IOPTH "value-added" to decision-making during MIP. STUDY DESIGN: The study group comprised 100 consecutive patients with sporadic hyperparathyroidism and an unequivocally positive sestamibi scan who were undergoing MIP in our unit from June 2004 until October 2005, from whom blood was collected for parathyroid hormone measurement preoperatively, preexcision, and at 10 and 30 minutes postremoval. No action was taken on the results of the test. RESULTS: Ninety-eight patients were cured by MIP alone. Two patients had persistent hyperparathyroidism, one of whom was cured with subsequent open reexploration and removal of a second adenoma, and the other remains hypercalcemic despite additional open neck exploration. IOPTH in both patients failed to fall in retrospect, only the first would have been cured by conversion at the time of operation. The value-added accuracy of IOPTH was really only 1%. In an additional nine patients, IOPTH at 10 minutes had failed to fall by > 50% from the highest level, those patients (9%) would have been subjected to an unnecessary conversion on the basis of a false-negative result. CONCLUSIONS: IOPTH does not substantially value-add to decision-making during MIP. Most patients will be cured with appropriate selection for MIP based on preoperative localization studies.