Parathyroid Hormone as a Marker for Predicting the Severity of Hypocalcaemia Following Parathyroidectomy

The purpose of this study is to determine preoperative predictors of the severity of the hypocalcaemia following parathyroidectomy. The case records of 70 patients who underwent parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism from 2000 to 2013 was retrospectively studied. Their symptoms at presentation, biochemical parameters serum calcium, parathyroid hormone, alkaline phosphatase and parathyroid size on ultrasound were compared with their serial post-operative serum calcium levels at 24, 48, 72 and 96 h. For the purpose of analysis, patients were divided into three groups. Group 1—asymptomatic, biochemically normal (serum calcium always ≥8.5 mgs%); Group 2—asymptomatic, biochemically below normal (at least one reading <8.5, but none <8.0); Group 3—symptomatic (any one reading <8.0). No correlation was found between the severity of the presenting symptoms, pre-operative serum calcium levels or the parathyroid size with the post-operative calcium levels in the three groups. Though preoperative serum alkaline phosphatase levels were higher in Group 3, it was not statistically significant (p = 0.069). However, preoperative serum parathyroid hormone levels significantly correlated with postoperative serum calcium levels in all three groups (p = 0.006). Pre-operative serum parathyroid hormone levels may serve as a marker for severe post-operative hypocalcaemia and thus identify patients requiring closer monitoring and longer hospitalization following parathyroidectomy.     

The value and role of low dose methylene blue in the surgical management of hyperparathyroidism

Introduction

Methylene blue (MB) has been used in the identification of abnormal parathyroid glands in surgery for hyperparathyroidism. Its efficacy and safety profile have been questioned recently and this study sought to demonstrate such aspects in a unit where its use is routine.

Methods

Prospective data collected over six years in a single surgeon’s practice were interrogated to identify factors affecting MB staining, side effects suffered and unusual cases where the dye was invaluable in locating the diseased gland.

Results

A total of 98 patients underwent MB infusion. Of these, 77 cases (78.6%) stained positively with MB and 21 (21.4%) did not. Six patients suffered side effects but there were no cases of neurotoxicity. No positive predictive factors of dye uptake were found. MB was particularly useful in cases of intrathyroidal and ectopic glands as well as improving efficiency in both targeted and open parathyroidectomy.

Conclusions

This series shows that when used correctly, MB is efficacious in locating diseased parathyroid glands, with similar sensitivity rates to preoperative ultrasonography and radionucleotide imaging. Adverse effects were much lower than published previously, which may be attributed to the low dose of MB used (3.5mg/kg).     

Normocalcemic hyperparathyroidism: preoperatively a disease,postoperatively cured?

Background

Up to 44% of primary hyperparathyroidism patients have elevated parathyroid hormone (ePTH) with normal calcium postparathyroidectomy (PTx). The question is whether the surgical approach affects the incidence of this phenomenon.

Methods

Patients with hyperparathyroidism and presumed single-gland disease on preoperative imaging who underwent PTx between 1994 and 2008 were identified and contacted for long-term follow-up. PTx was either a focused approach (minimally invasive approach [MIP]) or a bilateral neck exploration (BNE).

Results

In total, 171 patients had PTH measured postoperatively (95 MIP and 76 BNE); 30 of 171 (17%) had ePTH with normal calcium (MIP 21 [22%] and BNE 9 [12%], P = .08). This occurred within 2 years in 48% and 67% and after 2 years in 52% and 33%, MIP vs BNE, respectively. Four patients recurred, 2 MIP and 2 BNE.

Conclusions

There is a trend toward a higher incidence of ePTH in patients having undergone an MIP. The etiology of ePTH is multifactorial but may represent an early recurrence.     

A case of post-transplant hyperparathyroidism treated with ethanol injection

A 15-year-old boy with chronic renal failure secondary to Alport’s syndrome underwent living-related renal transplantation from his 48-year-old father. His primary immunosuppressive regimen was composed of tacrolimus, mizolibine, and methylprednisolone. The postoperative course was satisfactory with one episode of mild acute rejection, treated successfully with methylprednisolone pulse therapy. Two months later, hypercalcemia (11.8–13.2 mg/dl) and hypophosphatemia (2.5–3.0 mg/dl) were noted without any bone symptoms. The serum intact-parathyroid hormone (PTH) and serum alkaline phosphatase levels were 240 pg/ml and 2483 IU/l, respectively. Ultrasound studies revealed enlargement of the two parathyroid glands. Under the diagnosis of ter-tiary hyperparathyroidism, he underwent percutaneous ethanol injection (PEIT) into the left parathyroid gland. Although levels of serum calcium and phosphorus returned to normal ranges and the intact PTH level decreased to 95 pg/ml with the three injections, another injection was needed to normalize recurrent hypercalcemia 2 months later. The patient experienced only transient mild dysphonia and local pain after PEIT. Although PEIT is believed less effective than parathyroidectomy, it has some advantages such as applicability to high-risk patients, repeatability of treatment, low incidence and severity of side effects. Received: 26 June 2001 / Revised: 21 November 2001 / Accepted: 24 November 2001     

Life threatening presentation of thoracic duct injury post thyroid surgery; a case report

BackgroundInjury to thoracic duct is a rare potential complication of time-honored conventional thyroidectomy. Nevertheless, it can be a cause of significant morbidity, and sometimes life-threatening.Patient findingsA 78-year-old female patient with a previous surgical history of thyroid lobectomy for nodular disease presented with primary hyperparathyroidism, and a nodule in the remaining thyroid lobe. The patient underwent completion thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy. Less than 24 h post operatively, the patient developed progressive shortness of breath and neck swelling requiring immediate intubation and re-exploration. A large amount of chyle was drained and an injured thoracic duct was identified and ligated.SummaryIn experienced hands thyroid surgery is safe. Nevertheless, factors such as the type of pathology and its extent, the level of surgery, and re-operative surgery increase the risk of postoperative complications. Immediate surgical exploration is necessary when patients present with neck swelling and respiratory distress. In our case, a high output chyle leak in a confined space was life threatening.ConclusionTimely re-exploration following thyroid surgery and thorough knowledge of the anatomy of neck structures is crucial in sparing patients potential morbidity and/or mortality.     

Surgical strategy for sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism an evidence-based approach to surgical strategy,patient selection,surgical access,and reoperations

Purpose  Progress in parathyroid imaging has brought substantial changes in the surgical strategy to approach patients with sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT). The present review is focused on the safety and efficacy of limited parathyroid exploration. Materials and methods  Review of the literature focused on studies dealing with unilateral (two-gland exploration) or selective parathyroidectomy (one-gland exploration) in selected patients with pHPT and on the classification of published reports according to the degree of evidence. Results  Parathyroid exploration limited to a solitary parathyroid adenoma can be considered a minimally invasive procedure that can be performed by the minicervicotomy, video-assisted, or endoscopic approaches. In properly selected patients, it affords results comparable to those of four-gland bilateral exploration in terms of cure and recurrence. It causes less postoperative hypocalcemia. Conclusions  Selective parathyroidectomy is an option for patients with positive preoperative localization tests undergoing first-time surgery who have no family history of pHPT, no goiter for which surgical therapy is proposed, and are not on lithium therapy. This paper was presented at the “Primary HPT Symposium” organized by the European Society of Endocrine Surgeons (Lund, Sweden, March 19–21, 2009).     

Surgical Treatment of Primary Hyperparathyroidism: Description of Techniques and Advances in the Field

Primary hyperparathyroidism is a disease commonly seen in patients above 60 years of age. It is the most common cause of asymptomatic or symptomatic hypercalcemia, usually found incidentally on routine check-ups. Surgical treatment is the only definitive treatment of choice in the symptomatic patient; however, it can also be employed in asymptomatic patients. First described in 1925, bilateral neck exploration is the gold standard of treatment for primary hyperparathyroidism. The recent interest in minimally invasive surgeries has led to better and improved techniques of neck exploration with improved cosmetic results and lesser chances of transient or permanent hypoparathyroidism due to inadvertent removal of normally functioning parathyroid tissue. These include unilateral neck explorations, minimally invasive parathyroidectomies and minimally invasive radio-guided parathyroidectomy. The intact parathyroid hormone assays have greatly added to the detection of normal and abnormal functioning glands, hence better surgical outcomes.     

尿毒症患者甲状旁腺全切除加前臂移植术后钙的补充

目的研究尿毒症患者甲状旁腺全切除加前臂移植术后的补钙方法。方法 15例接受甲状旁腺全切除加前臂移植术的尿毒症患者,根据其术后血钙浓度调整补钙剂量,使血钙浓度维持在1.8～2.5mmol/L之间。结果术后2周内平均血钙浓度是(2.235±0.082)mmol/L。术后2周内累计元素钙补充量(CaSUM)为(48.2±17.9)g。术后两周内平均每天、每千克体质量、每维持1mmol/L血钙所需元素钙的量(CaAVG)为(29.1±14.9)mg。CaSUM与甲状旁腺的质量显著相关(r=0.910,P=0.038),但是与甲状旁腺功能亢进持续时间、体质量、碱性磷酸酶(alkaline phosphatase,AKP)水平、标准蛋白分解率(normalized protein catabolic rate,nPCR)、术后第一日血清全段甲状旁腺激素(intact parathyroid hormone,iPTH)水平不相关。CaAVG与甲状旁腺功能亢进持续时间正相关(r=1.000,P=0.041),与术后第1日iPTH水平负相关(r=-1.000,P=0.002)。结论甲状旁腺全切除加前臂移植术后的补钙量大小与甲状旁腺的质量、甲状旁腺功能亢进持续时间、术后第1日iPTH水平有关。     

甲状旁腺切除对继发性甲状旁腺功能亢进症患者左心室肥厚的影响

目的观察甲状旁腺切除对尿毒症继发性甲状旁腺功能亢进症（secondary hyperparathyroidism,SHPT）患者左心室肥厚的影响。方法选取21例SHPT患者,分为手术组13例和常规治疗组8例,手术组切除甲状旁腺,于手术前及手术1年后分别化验血清钙（ca）、血清磷（P）、血清全段甲状旁腺激素（iPTH）,进行心脏超声检查,测量左室舒张末期内径（LVED）,室间隔厚度（IVST）、左室后壁厚度（LVP—wT）,左心室射血分数（LVEF）计算左心室重量指数（LVMI）。结果手术1年后,手术组患者血清Ca、P、CaXP、iPTH水平均较术前明显降低（t=-3．823、3．873、-4．531、-10．545,均P〈O．01）,LVMI由153．7±56．7g／m^2下降到119．5±29．4g／m^2,手术治疗对LVMI、IVST、LVPWT的影响具有统计学意义（F=4．180、4．174、5．959,P=0．048、0．048、0．019）,对LVED、LVEF的影响无统计学差异（F=2．662、1．010,P=0．111、0．377）。结论甲状旁腺切除能有效改善尿毒症SHPT患者的左心室肥厚。