Treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with chronic renal failure by total parathyroidectomy and parathyroid autograft.

Sixty-one patients with chronic renal failure and secondary hyperparathyroidism underwent total parathyroidectomy and parathyroid autograft. Symptoms relieved by parathyroidectomy included bone pain, pruritus, soft tissue calcification, muscle weakness and healing of fractures. Serum parathormone levels measured before and after operation in 48 patients returned to normal in all but two patients. Serum alkaline phosphatase levels also returned toward normal after operation, except in one patient with a retained parathyroid gland. Complete radiographic studies before and after operation were available in 30 of 61 patients. Twenty-three of 24 patients with osteitis fibrosa had evidence of healing, and in one patient no change occurred. Osteosclerosis noticed in 23 patients improved slightly in eight patients, did not change in 14 and became worse in one. Pathologic examinations revealed 45 patients to have diffuse hyperplasia and 16 nodular hyperplasia. There were two early postoperative deaths, in the first 30 days, and 16 late postoperative deaths, from four months to four years afterward. In no case did the operation contribute to death. Some patients required the administration of supplemental calcium after operation, but in no instance did profound hypocalcemia occur. No patient developed recurrent hyperparathyroidism.     

Parathyroid autotransplantation. An investigation of parathyroid autograft function

During a four-year period, 27 patients underwent total parathyroidectomy with autotransplantation of parathyroid tissue to the forearm. In order to minimize the risk of persistent or recurrent hyperparathyroidism (HPT), a routine thymic resection and a wide excision of fat tissue around the parathyroids was performed to ensure excision of possible supernumerary glands or rudimentary parathyroid tissue. The indications for operation were HPT secondary to chronic renal failure in 24 patients (22 of whom had hypercalcaemia) and persistent or recurrent primary HPT in 2 cases. One further patient, who had a multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type I, underwent this procedure at the primary parathyroid operation. Preoperative hypercalcaemia was reversed in all patients but three during the first postoperative days, concomitantly with a fall in the parathyroid hormone (PTH) level. Fourteen patients showed marked hypocalcaemia postoperatively, necessitating calcium or vitamin D supplementation. This medication could later be discontinued in all of them. Thirteen patients, including two of those with primary HPT, never required any supplemental therapy. Survival of the grafts was documented by several observations. In all patients normal serum calcium values were being maintained without supplemental therapy at follow-up. During induced hypocalcaemia a PTH secretory response was demonstrated in all eight studied patients with a gradient between the grafted and non-grafted arm. In two patients in whom the grafts were examined histologically 19 and 28 months after the transplantation, viable parathyroid tissue was observed. In the initial part of the study excised tissue was cryopreserved. Since persistent hypocalcaemia did not occur in our patients, we have now abandoned this safety precaution. Thus, total parathyroidectomy with autotransplantation of parathyroid tissue is a valuable method for restoring long-term parathyroid function in patients with secondary HPT and uraemia. It also appears of value in selected cases of primary HPT.     

Latent hypoparathyroidism in patients with autotransplanted parathyroid glands

Eighteen patients had undergone radical surgery for thyroid carcinoma. In all of them four parathyroid glands had been verified by frozen-section biopsy and removed. Thereafter two, three or four glands were autotransplanted into muscle tissue. At least 1 year after the operation the patients underwent a calcium deprivation test. Before the test they all had normal serum calcium values without treatment. During the test seven patients remained normocalcemic, seven became hypocalcemic, and four had occasional low serum calcium values. After the test all were normocalcemic again. Patients with only autotransplanted parathyroid glands left after surgery should be tested for latent hypoparathyroidism.     

Pitfalls in parathyroid evaluation in patients with calcium urolithiasis

Summary Primary hyperparathyroidism is a major cause of calcium urolithiasis and is easily recognised when it is classically manifested. However, subtle presentations of primary hyperparathyroidism may cause confusion with other causes of calcium stone disease or cause diagnostic difficulty. Several pitfalls of parathyroid evaluation and treatment are illustrated by four cases of calcium urolithiasis. Cases 1 and 2 represent ineffective or useless parathyroid surgery rendered for renal hypercalciuria and absorptive hypercalciuria, respectively. Cases 3 and 4 had mild or intermittent hypercalcaemia. The correct diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism was made in Case 3 by parathyroid venous sampling and bone densitometry. In Case 4, the thiazide provocative test was used to establish the diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism.This work was supported by grants from the USPHS 1-RO1-AM-16061 and 5-MO1-RR00633.     

Bone mineral density in hemodialysis patients with parathyroid dysfunction

We have determined bone mineral density (BMD) in hemodialysis patients with various parathyroid function in an attempt to elucidate the pathology of bone abnormalities, and obtained the following results. It is desirable that BMD (DXA) in the dialysis patients is determined at the radius rather than at the lumber spine. A higher BMD value might be obtained because of osteosclerosis of the vertebra or abdominal vascular calcification. The correlation between the SPA and the DXA was favorable in determining BMD at the distal one-third of the radius. The correlation between Jensen's classification based on subperiosteal resorption, intact-PTH, and BMD(radius) was favorable. The annual decrease in BMD was 4.0% and 4.7% in the male patients within 8 years and the female within 6 years after starting dialysis, respectively, and thier BMD decreased to 70 at above mentioned year. The annual BMD decrease became larger in the patients with severe 2'HPT, i.e., 7.1% in the male patients and 10.0% in the female patients. BMD after PTX markedly increased in the patients showing BMD of less than 70 at PTX. The BMD in one male patient who showed aluminium induced osteomalacia in past history was maintained at a relatively favorable value. The biochemical examination of two female patients who became an aparathyroid state after PTX showed improved values, but their BMD gradually decreased without showing any increase.     

Intraoperative parathyroid hormone measurement in patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism

HYPOTHESIS: Secondary hyperparathyroidism decreases renal clearance of parathyroid hormone (PTH). OBJECTIVE: To determine whether rapid PTH assays can be used to predict the success of a total parathyroidectomy to treat symptomatic secondary hyperparathyroidism. DESIGN: Case series from August 1 to December 31, 2000. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with symptomatic secondary hyperparathyroidism (n = 24) who underwent total parathyroidectomy and autotransplantation were included in the study. INTERVENTIONS: Blood samples for rapid PTH analyses were drawn from an indwelling catheter at the induction of anesthesia (baseline) and before (0 minutes), 10 minutes, and 30 minutes after the removal of the last parathyroid gland. Regular intact PTH (iPTH) assays were conducted later. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: If a patient's regular iPTH levels were below 65 pg/mL at 1 week or 3 months postoperatively, the operation was considered successful. RESULTS: All 24 patients had successful operations. Rapid PTH and regular iPTH correlated significantly at 0, 10, and 30 minutes. Rapid PTH levels decreased significantly at each time period and were 176 +/- 40.9 pg/mL (mean +/- SE) at 10 minutes. The percentage decrease in rapid PTH levels was 39.5% +/- 12.7% at 0 minutes, 75.1% +/- 6.2% at 10 minutes, and 91.0% +/- 0.1% at 30 minutes (mean +/- SE). A decrease of 60% or more from baseline PTH levels at 10 minutes and/or a decrease of 85% or more at 30 minutes predicted the successful removal of all parathyroid glands. CONCLUSIONS: A drop in PTH levels is delayed until 30 minutes after total parathyroidectomy; however, a rapid PTH assay 10 minutes after the removal of the last parathyroid gland is as accurate as an assay performed at 30 minutes postoperatively. Intraoperative PTH monitoring demonstrates relevant decreases in rapid PTH levels after parathyroidectomy that are similar to those previously documented in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism.     

Hormone status in patients with slipped capital femoral epiphysis

In 15 consecutive patients with slipped capital femoral epiphysis we recorded height, weight and skeletal maturity. Sexual maturity was assessed clinically and biochemically, and Harris's hypothesis that there is an increased ratio of serum growth hormone to oestrogen was tested in comparison with 15 age and sex matched controls. We found no difference in skeletal or sexual maturity between the groups, or any overt endocrine abnormality in the patients. However almost half the patients with slipped epiphysis were over the 90th weight percentile, suggesting that mechanical factors such as obesity are more important aetiologically than endocrine abnormalities.     

Direct injections of calcitriol into enlarged parathyroid glands in chronic dialysis patients with severe parathyroid hyperfunction

Summary: Severe secondary hyperparathyroidism in chronic dialysis patients has been recently treated by supraphysiological concentration of calcitriol achieved through pulse therapy. However, there are many patients resistant to this therapy, who usually have larger parathyroid gland(s). to overcome this resistance, calcitriol was injected directly into the enlarged glands under ultrasonographic guidance. We injected 70–90% of the calculated gland volume of calcitriol solution (1 μg/mL) into the glands of 7 patients three times per week for 2 weeks. the parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels decreased significantly after 2 weeks of direct injections of calcitriol. Following a further 4 weeks of calcitriol pulse therapy, PTH levels remained suppressed and serum alkaline phosphatase activity and the volume of parathyroid glands also decreased. During the long-term follow up, five patients remained well controlled with calcitriol pulse therapy, while two patients needed ethanol injections to control hyperparathyroidism. Although we could not completely rule out a toxic effect of the vehicle, direct injection of calcitriol into parathyroid glands may be another treatment option for chronic dialysis patients. Our data further support the important role of resistance of parathyroid cells to calcitriol in the pathogenesis of parathyroid hyper function in uraemic patients.     

Identification of pathologic parathyroid glands in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism

r = 0.861, intact PTH assay). Eight of 9 patients with multiple-gland involvement had an elevated serum PTH (>2000 pg/ml in midportion and >200 pg/ml in intact PTH assays, respectively). No patient developed persistent or recurrent hyperparathyroidism. The serum PTH level was normalized by a resection of relatively enlarged glands in our cases. It is usual to explore all glands during surgery, and in cases with a high serum PTH level, multiple-gland involvement should also be considered. (Received for publication on Feb. 10, 1997; accepted on July 8, 1997)     

Pancreatic neuroendocrine cell tumor secreting parathyroid hormone-related protein and gastrin: Report of a case

This report presents a case of pancreatic neuroendocrine cell carcinoma with multiple liver metastases secreting gastrin and parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) related to lumbar bone fracture and hypercalcemia. A 58-year-old woman visited an affiliated hospital with a chief complaint of lumbago without any evidence of trauma. She was diagnosed with hepatic dysfunction and hypercalcemia as well as multiple lumbar compression fractures without osteolytic lesions. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) showed a hypervascular mass in the pancreatic tail and multiple liver tumors. Duodenal ulcers were found with gastrointestinal endoscopy. There was a marked increase in the serum gastrin level. She was diagnosed as gastrinoma with multiple liver metastases and was admitted to the hospital. She had an increase in serum PTHrP level without the elevation of intact parathyroid hormone at the time of admission. She underwent an extended right hepatectomy in addition to a distal pancreatectomy with a regional lymphadenectomy and splenectomy. The postoperative course was uneventful, and serum gastrin and PTHrP activities reduced to normal levels. She remained symptom-free, and serum calcium, gastrin, and PTHrP levels remain within the normal ranges 19 months after surgery without adjuvant therapy.     

Parathyroid carcinoma versus parathyroid adenoma in patients with profound hypercalcemia

The metabolic manifestations and operative findings in 10 patients with a diagnosis of parathyroid carcinoma were analyzed to determine whether they differ from those in patients with parathyroid adenomas and similar degrees of hypercalcemia. Two groups of patients with parathyroid adenomas were used for comparison. Group A consisted of eight patients with "atypical" benign adenomas (mean preoperative level of serum calcium: 13.4 mg/dl); group B consisted of 13 patients with benign typical adenomas--all with preoperative serum calcium levels greater than or equal to 13.0 mg/dl (mean: 14.2 mg/dl). The patients with carcinoma (mean preoperative level of serum calcium: 15.3 mg/dl) had a frequency of osteoporosis and osteitis fibrosa cystica (50%) comparable with that of group A (33%) and group B (62%). Seventy percent of the patients with carcinoma had renal disease (nephrolithiasis, nephrocalcinosis, or impaired renal function), whereas only 38% of group A and 15% of group B had similar disorders. The patients with carcinomas had the highest frequency of combined bone and renal disease (50% versus 14% in group A and 15% in group B). Anemia, peptic ulcer disease, and hypertension occurred with similar frequencies in the three groups. Three patients with recurrent parathyroid carcinoma died of profound hypercalcemia, renal failure, or cardiac arrhythmia. In general, although patients with parathyroid carcinomas have more profound metabolic abnormalities than do patients with primary hyperparathyroidism, the metabolic manifestations in patients with parathyroid carcinoma are comparable with those in patients with parathyroid adenomas and profound hypercalcemia. Furthermore atypical adenomas share many anatomic and histopathologic features with parathyroid carcinomas, and distinguishing between the two is sometimes possible only in cases of tumor recurrence.     

血液透析患者甲状旁腺全切除加上臂移植术后低钙血症的防治

目的 观察因继发性甲状旁腺功能亢进症（secondary hyperparathyroidism,SHPT）进行甲状旁腺全切除加上臂移植术（total parathyroidectomy with upper arm autograft,TPTX＋AT）的血液透析患者,术后使用不同钙离子浓度的透析液行透析治疗低钙血症的效果,探讨如何更有效防治术后低钙血症.方法 选择2011年3月至2013年6月在我院接受TPTX＋AT的血液透析患者29例,按照手术时间的先后顺序进行编号,随机将偶数分在A组14例,奇数分在B组15例.术前B组补钙及骨化三醇;术后2组均予补钙及骨化三醇.A组使用钙浓度1.50 mmol/L透析液,B组使用钙浓度1.75 mmol/L高钙透析液.观察术后8 h、24 h、48 h、1周、2周及4周的血钙、血磷及甲状旁腺素（intact parathyroid hormone,iPTH）的变化,记录低钙血症的临床症状,术后达到治疗目标所需要的时间及静脉补钙量.结果 术后血钙、血磷、iPTH均明显下降.术后低钙血症主要表现四肢末端发麻,全身无力,焦虑、烦躁;少数患者表现为心悸、多汗、肌肉痉挛、四肢抽搐,血压低、腹痛或腹泻.A组低钙血症发生率为 85.7%（12/14）、B组为 73.3%（11/15）.术后1周B组血钙水平[（1.95±0.18）mmol/L]明显高于A组[（1.76±0.21）mmol/L].B组术后达到治疗目标所需要的时间为[（7.56±2.25）d],少于A组[（10.54±3.12）d];而B组所需静脉补钙量[（6.86±2.13）g]少于A组[（9.28±2.81）g],差异均有统计学意义（P＜0.05）.结论 并发SHPT的血液透析患者在TPTX＋AT术后常会出现低钙血症,术前、术后足量补充钙剂和骨化三醇,术后使用高钙透析液透析能更加有效防治低钙血症.     

Racial differences in parathyroid hormone levels in patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism

AIM: African-Americans (AA) with normal renal function have higher parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels than Caucasians (C). This difference was also noted in cross-sectional studies of patients on dialysis. In this study, we evaluated patients with end-stage renal disease who have just began dialysis and who were not receiving any vitamin D therapy. METHODS: A total of 363 patients were recruited (C: 260; AA: 103). All patients had serum calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase and intact PTH (iPTH) levels measured within 3 months of initiating dialysis. RESULTS: Serum PTH levels were significantly higher in AA vs. C (383 +/- 33 vs. 246 +/- 19, p < 0.001). This difference was present despite similar calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase levels between the 2 groups and regardless of gender or diabetes status. However, PTH levels in patients younger than 47 years of age were similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: PTH levels in ESRD patients over 47 years of age are higher in AA compared to C. The difference is, in part, due to an age-dependent reduction in PTH seen only in C. Further studies are needed to understand the mechanisms of these racial differences and to verify whether they mirror similar alterations at the level of the end-organ tissue.     

Total parathyroidectomy and parathyroid autograft for renal osteodystrophy: Analysis of the cause of failure

Between September, 1979, and December 31, 1983, thirtyone patients with renal osteodystrophy and high serum immune parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels underwent total parathyroidectomy with parathyroid autograft. Three failures (10%) were due to residual parathyroid tissue. In 2 of these patients, 4 and 6 glands respectively, had been removed. This indicates the need for thorough dissection of the neck even when 4 glands have been found. Painful symptoms and vitamin D₃ intolerance persisted after surgery in 3 other patients (10%), although iPTH levels dropped significantly. Further work-up disclosed aluminum intoxication.

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Resumen Treinta y un pacientes con osteodistrofia renal y altos niveles de parathormona inmuno-reactiva carboxiterminal (PTHi) sérica fueron sometidos a paratiroidectomíra y autotransplante paratiroideo durante el período comprendido entre septiembre de 1979 y diciembre 31 de 1983. Tres fracasos (10%) se debieron a enfermedad paratiroidea residual. En dos de estos pacientes se removieron 4 y 6 glándulas respectivamente, lo cual indica la necesidad de una disección meticulosa del cuello aun cuando ya se hayan encontrado 4 glándulas. Síntomas de dolor e intolerancia a la vitamina D₃ persistieron en otros 3 pacientes (10%) a pesar de una disminución significativa de los nivelés de PTHi. Una investigación mas profunda reveló intoxication por alumino.

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Résumé De septembre 1979 au 31 décembre 1983, 31 malades qui présentaient une ostéodystrophie rénale avec un taux élevé d'i.P.T.H. ont subi une parathyroïdectomie totale suivie d'une autogreffe parathyroïdienne. Trois case d'échecs (10%) dûs à la présence de tissu parathyroïdien résiduel ont été constatés. Chez 2 de ces patients 4 et 6 glandes respectivement ont été extirpées. Ce fait, soulignons-le, implique la nécessité de procéder à une dissection complète du cou, même quand les 4 parathyroïdes ont été exposées. D'autre part, il est à signaler que des symptômes douloureux et une intolérance à la vitame D₃ ont persisté en postopératoire chez 3 autres malades (10%), bien que le taux d'i.P.T.H. se soit abaissé de façon significative. L'observation ultérieure permit de mettre en évidence une intoxication à l'aluminium.

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Supported by the Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique Médicale (grant no. 3.4517.84) and the Fondation David et Alice Van Buren.     

Mediastinal, cystic and functional parathyroid adenoma in patients with double parathyroid adenomas: a case report

Primary hyperparathyroidism is usually caused by single adenoma. Ectopic adenomas are a frequent cause of recurrent or persistent hyperparathyroidism. Parathyroid cysts are rarely seen and most of them are non functional. This case report describes a patient with double adenoma, one is solid and cervical, the other is cystic and located in mediastinum; both of them are functional.     

Walking ability in patients with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita

Background:

Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita (AMC) is a multiple joint condition which affects both lower and upper extremities and thus affects ambulation. Multiple surgeries are needed to correct limb deformity in order to promote walking. The objective of this study is to identify the most critical residual deformity that diminishes the ambulatory status.

Materials and Methods:

51 patients were included in this study, 14 patients were nonambulatory. The mean age at first surgery was 4.1 years (range 2-16 years). The mean length of followup was 44.0 months (range 22-168 months). Type of procedures and number of operations, residual deformity and walking ability were recorded. Residual deformity including hip flexion contracture more than 30°, knee flexion contracture more than 30°, scoliosis, hip dysplasia or dislocation, knee extension contracture or recurvatum, active motion of hips and knees and upper limb involvement were evaluated. Statistical analysis was done to evaluate factors that were statistically significant to affect walking ability in AMC patients.

Results:

At the latest followup, 31 patients were community ambulators, 3 patients were household ambulators, 3 patients were nonfunctional ambulatory, and 14 patients were nonambulatory. There were an average of 4.3 surgeries per patient. Statistical analysis of all factors was done and the results were significant with a P < 0.037 in knee flexion contracture >30 degrees with odds ratio of 4.58. Hip flexion contracture >30° was a trend toward significant with a P value of 0.058 and odds ratio of 4.53. Multivariate analysis showed that knee flexion contracture was significant with 4.58 (95% CI 1.01-20.6).

Conclusion:

AMC is a rare disease that causes disability, requiring multiple surgeries to correct deformities. Our study showed that residual knee flexion contracture was associated with nonambulatory status of patients with AMC.     

Hormone inactive parathyroid cyst: rare differential diagnosis in the evaluation of cervical cysts

Parathyroid cysts are a very rare disease entity. Hormone activity is uncommon and they usually present without any clinical symptoms. The differential diagnosis of cystic neck masses should nevertheless include parathyroid cysts as surgical therapy can be very effective. We report the case of a 57-year-old patient presenting to our department with a hormone inactive parathyroid cyst. Final diagnosis was achieved eventually after histological examination of the resected specimen, which is the reason for evaluating the current data for preoperative management of this disease entity in this case report.     

A long-term follow-up study of acellular dermal matrix with thin autograft in burns patients

We report long-term follow-up results of acellular dermal matrix (ADM) allograft combined with thin split-thickness skin autograft (STSG) for burn treatment. Between March 2001 and May 2007, we treated 19 cases of burn wounds or scar wounds at 34 different body sites with ADM allograft combined with STSG. All patients were monitored, with the mean follow-up period being 3.3 ± 1.4 years. Transplant skin was assessed by using a modified Manchester Scar Scale. The control sites that were treated with STSG at the same time were also monitored. There were significant differences in contour, contracture, and texture between the treatment and control sites (P < 0.05), but not in color, sensation, and complications (P > 0.05). All composite-grafted joints showed recovery and improvement in function postoperatively. The aesthetic contour of the skin donor site was satisfactory. Composite graft with ADM produces a supple texture without contractures, approaching the normal skin contour, and leading to adequate improvement in function.     

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.