Parathyroid Glands In Primary Hyperparathyroidism Research Articles

A 32-Year-Old Man With Recurrent Kidney Stones and an Abnormal Chest Radiograph

A 32-Year-Old Man With Recurrent Kidney Stones and an Abnormal Chest Radiograph

Effects of Smoking on Severity of Disease in Primary Hyperparathyroidism

In healthy subjects, smoking is associated with lower plasma levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and decreased bone mineral density (BMD). The effect of smoking on PTH, skeletal metabolism, and size/histology of the parathyroid glands in primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is unknown. We investigated, in a cross-sectional study, whether smoking affects PTH levels, BMD, and weight/histology of removed parathyroid tissue in PHPT. We studied 344 (285 women) parathyroidectomized patients with PHPT (24% smokers). Biochemistry was determined at the time of diagnosis. BMD was measured before and after surgical cure. Smoking was associated with lower PTH (9.9 ± 1.8 [SD] vs. 12.2 ± 1.8 pmol/l, P < 0.01) and higher phosphate (0.95 ± 0.17 vs. 0.86 ± 0.17 mmol/l, P < 0.01) levels. Adjustments for between-group differences in age, sex, body weight, plasma creatinine, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) levels did not change the findings. Neither weight of removed adenomatous and hyperplastic tissue nor BMD differed according to smoking status. After adjustment for body weight, age, sex, and 25OHD levels, smokers had slightly lower BMD at the whole body but not at the spine, hip, or forearm. Independent of smoking status, surgical cure caused a significant increase in BMD at all measurement sites. In PHPT smoking is associated with lower plasma PTH and higher phosphate levels. Adjustment for confounders of PTH did not change the results. In contrast to healthy subjects, smoking seems not to decrease BMD in PHPT. Smoking may compromise the correct diagnostic evaluation of borderline hyperparathyroidism. It is unknown to what extent smoking in PHPT affects fracture risk and indication for surgery.

Usefulness of intraoperative 99mTc-MIBI-guided detection for recurrent sites in secondary hyperparathyroidism: A case-controlled study

Purpose 99mTc-Methoxyisobutylisonitrile ( 99mTc-MIBI)-guided surgery for the detection of abnormal parathyroid glands in primary hyperparathyroidism (1-HPT) has gained popularity as an effective technique. However, in secondary hyperparathyroidism (2-HPT), the efficacy of this method remains controversial, especially for the recurrence sites of 2-HPT. Methods 99mTc-MIBI-guided surgery was performed for 28 recurrent sites of transplanted parathyroid tissue in 4 patients, and the detection rates of this method were compared with the results of preoperative ultrasound (US) examination and computed tomography (CT) scanning. Results The results of 99mTc-MIBI-guided surgery for regions of recurrence were a sensitivity of 100% (28/28) and an accuracy of 100% (29/29), compared with preoperative US and CT which had a sensitivity of 92.9% (26/28) and 0% (0/28), and an accuracy of 89.7% (26/29) and 0% (0/28), respectively. Conclusions Intraoperative 99mTc-MIBI-guided surgery can identify recurrent parathyroid tissues of 2-HPT more precisely than preoperative US examination or CT scanning, and makes the surgery easier to perform.

Comparison Of Sestamibi Scintigraphy And Ultrasonography In Preoperative Localization Of Primary Hyperparathyroidism

Aims To determine the utility of ultrasonography for the preoperative localization of enlarged parathyroid glands in primary hyperparathyroidism, and to compare this method with 99m technetium sestamibi scintigraphy. Patients and Methods The results of ultrasonography for localization of enlarged parathyroid glands were determined in 80 consecutive patients with primary hyperparathyroidism and compared with findings at surgery and with the results of 99m technetium sestamibi scintigraphy. Results Ultrasonography predicted surgical findings in 61 of 80 patients (76.1%), including 59 of 76 patients with solitary parathyroid adenomas (77.6%) with a sensitivity of 83.5 % and a positive predictive value (PPV) of 89.7%. Sestamibi scintigraphy findings were correlated with surgical findings in 63 (78.8%) patients including 62 of 76 patients with solitary eutopic parathyroid adenomas (81.5%), with a sensitivity of 85 % and a PPV of 91.3%. Conclusion Sensitivity and positive predictive values of ultrasonography are not significantly different from values of sestamibi scintigraphy in localization of pathologic parathyroid glands in primary hyperparathyroidism.

Ultrasonography in detection of single and multiple abnormal parathyroid glands in primary hyperparathyroidism: comparison with radionuclide scintigraphy and surgery

Among the parathyroid imaging techniques, ultrasonography (USG) has the advantage of convenience, easy availability and low cost. To study the role of USG in localization (side and/or site) of abnormal parathyroid glands in primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) and to compare with radionuclide scintigraphy and the 'gold standard', surgery. Forty-six consecutive patients undergoing USG of the anterior neck for a diagnosis of PHPT in whom a nuclear scan (technetium-99m sestamibi and/or thallium-201/technetium-99m pertechnetate scintigraphy) was also performed, were studied. The results of imaging were independently interpreted and correlated with reference to surgical findings. Forty-six patients had 52 abnormal parathyroid glands on surgical exploration and surgery was successful in all but one. Forty-one patients had a single adenoma, four had multigland disease and one had a paraganglioma. USG correctly localized the abnormal gland in 30 (73%) and scintigraphy was positive in 40 (98%) out of 41 patients with a single adenoma as confirmed on surgical exploration. Scintigraphy showed a positive concordant test in all 30 patients with a single abnormal gland detected on USG and picked up 10 out of 11 abnormal glands where USG was negative. The sensitivity and positive predictive value of USG for detecting a single abnormal gland was 73% and 100%, respectively, whereas the sensitivity and positive predictive value for scintigraphy was 98%. In patients with multigland disease, USG missed 3 (30%) out of 10 and scintigraphy missed 6 (60%) out of 10 abnormal parathyroid glands as confirmed on surgical exploration (P < 0.05). However, in two patients who had ectopic parathyroid gland, both the modalities localized the lesion in one (paraganglioma), whereas in the other neither test was helpful (left retro-esophageal). USG is a convenient, affordable and useful modality to localize abnormal enlarged parathyroid glands in the majority of patients with PHPT. However, when USG is negative, scintigraphy is complementary to it.

Trial to predict malignancy of affected parathyroid glands in primary hyperparathyroidism.

Parathyroid cancer is rare but relatively frequent in Japan compared to Western countries. Surgical parathyroidectomy is the primary choice for radical treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT), hence it is important to distinguish malignant from benign tumor in the determination of surgical indication as well as method of operation. However, it is not easy to diagnose parathyroid cancer prior to operation. In the present study, we analyzed the background data, biochemical data and bone mineral density (BMD) of 131 patients with pHPT (111 benign and 20 malignant). BMD of the lumbar spine and mid-radius was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Serum levels of calcium, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and parathyroid hormone (PTH) were significantly higher in malignant group compared to benign one. The extent of elevation of mid PTH seemed to be higher than that of intact PTH in malignant group. Age-, gender-, and race-adjusted BMD of distal one-third of radius was significantly decreased in malignant group compared to benign one, although that of lumbar spine was not significantly different between the two groups, indicating that osteopenia was marked in the region which was rich in cortical bone in malignant group. On the other hand, serum levels of calcium, ALP, and mid PTH as well as age were selected as predictors of malignancy in univariate logistic regression analysis, while serum level of intact PTH was not selected. In conclusion, radial BMD was lower in malignant group compared to benign one in pHPT. Serum levels of calcium, ALP and mid PTH were useful to predict malignancy of affected parathyroid glands in pHPT patients.

Comparison of sestamibi subtraction scintigraphy and parathyroid venous sampling for preoperative localization of abnormal parathyroid glands in primary hyperparathyroidism: C. van Guldener 1, J.C. Netelenbos 1, H.J. Pijpers 2. Department of Internal Medicine 1 and Nuclear Medicine 2, Free University Hospital, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Comparison of sestamibi subtraction scintigraphy and parathyroid venous sampling for preoperative localization of abnormal parathyroid glands in primary hyperparathyroidism: C. van Guldener 1, J.C. Netelenbos 1, H.J. Pijpers 2. Department of Internal Medicine 1 and Nuclear Medicine 2, Free University Hospital, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Use of technetium Tc 99m sestamibi and iodine 123 radionuclide scan for preoperative localization of abnormal parathyroid glands in primary hyperparathyroidism.

The imaging methods currently used to localize the parathyroid gland in patients with hyperparathyroidism have been criticized as unreliable and even misleading. We evaluated a new imaging technique that uses technetium Tc 99m sestamibi and iodine 123. We studied 21 patients having a diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism and no previous parathyroid surgery. Scintigraphy to localize the abnormal parathyroid was done before operation. A solitary adenoma was localized in 14 patients. Six patients had images consistent with diffuse hyperplasia, and one patient had a dual adenoma. The surgical and histologic findings confirmed the preoperative data. The sensitivity of this method is 87.5%, the specificity is 100%, and the predictive value is 100%. This new method of preoperative localization of abnormal parathyroid glands is useful in patients having initial neck exploration for primary hyperparathyroidism.

Thallium-Technetium Subtraction Scintigraphy of Enlarged Parathyroid Glands after Calcitonin Stimulation of Parathyroid Hormone Secretion

To improve the sensitivity of thallium-technetium subtraction scintigraphy for preoperative localization procedure of enlarged parathyroid glands in primary hyperparathyroidism, we administered calcitonin intramuscularly 4 hours before the scintigraphy in 14 consecutive patients. Injection of calcitonin reduced plasma levels of ionized calcium from 1.47 ± 0.10 mmol/l to 1.41 ± 0.09 mmol/l (p &lt; 0.01). Concomitantly, serum levels of intact parathyroid hormone increased from 6.4 ± 2.5 pmol/l to 7.9 ± 2.6 pmol/l (p &lt; 0.001). The scintigram after calcitonin injection visualized 11 adenomas (sensitivity 78%) compared to only 9 (sensitivity 64%) in conventional scintigrams. In addition, 5 of the adenomas were more distinctly imaged in the scintigram after calcitonin injection, whereas in only one patient was the conventional scintigram better. Thus, the calcitonin injection improved the scintigram in 7 cases and was inferior in only one case (p = 0.031). We conclude that stimulation of parathyroid hormone secretion with calcitonin results in a better preoperative localization of enlarged parathyroid glands in primary hyperparathyroidism.

Thallium-Technetium Subtraction Scintigraphy of Enlarged Parathyroid Glands after Calcitonin Stimulation of Parathyroid Hormone Secretion

To improve the sensitivity of thallium-technetium subtraction scintigraphy for preoperative localization procedure of enlarged parathyroid glands in primary hyperparathyroidism, we administered calcitonin intramuscularly 4 hours before the scintigraphy in 14 consecutive patients. Injection of calcitonin reduced plasma levels of ionized calcium from 1.47 +/- 0.10 mmol/l to 1.41 +/- 0.09 mmol/l (p less than 0.01). Concomitantly, serum levels of intact parathyroid hormone increased from 6.4 +/- 2.5 pmol/l to 7.9 +/- 2.6 pmol/l (p less than 0.001). The scintigram after calcitonin injection visualized 11 adenomas (sensitivity 78%) compared to only 9 (sensitivity 64%) in conventional scintigrams. In addition, 5 of the adenomas were more distinctly imaged in the scintigram after calcitonin injection, whereas in only one patient was the conventional scintigram better. Thus, the calcitonin injection improved the scintigram in 7 cases and was inferior in only one case (p = 0.031). We conclude that stimulation of parathyroid hormone secretion with calcitonin results in a better preoperative localization of enlarged parathyroid glands in primary hyperparathyroidism.

Parathyroid Localization

Twenty-nine consecutive patients with suspected primary hyperparathyroidism were examined preoperatively using ultrasound, sonographically guided fine needle aspiration, and aspirate immunostaining for PTH. In 25 patients, localization of enlarged parathyroid glands was successful. In 2 patients, the tumors were located retrosternally and, thus, could not be detected by ultrasound. One patient had a multinodular goiter which impeded localization. In 1 patient with renal osteodystrophy, 2 enlarged parathyroid glands in the neck were not visualized preoperatively. Cytology was not diagnostic, although some cytological features were suggestive of parathyroid cells. Immunostaining of the aspirated smears for PTH, however, correctly diagnosed all preoperatively localized lesions. Ultrasound should be the routine procedure of choice for preoperative localization of abnormal parathyroid glands in primary hyperparathyroidism. Fine needle aspiration and immunocytochemistry can supply confirmation, if necessary.

Parathyroid glands in primary hyperparathyroidism: An ultrastructural study of 50 cases

Parathyroid glands from 50 cases of primary hyperparathyroidism were examined by light and electron microscopy in an attempt to elucidate the diagnostic role of electron microscopy in this disease. In the cases in which only one gland was removed at surgery, a final diagnosis by light microscopy was not possible. The electron microscopic findings for some of these single glands (e.g., ribosomal-lamellar complexes and groups of centrioles) suggested that they were adenomas. In cases in which two or more enlarged glands were removed, a correct final diagnosis could be made on the basis of the light microscopic findings alone, and electron microscopy provided no further significant information. Where one enlarged gland and one normally sized gland were removed, electron microscopy disclosed important findings in the normally sized glands. Specifically, light microscopic examination of normally sized glands suggested endocrine suppression, while electron microscopy showed chief cell activity, thereby changing the final diagnosis from adenoma to hyperplasia. The clinical follow-up assessment in some of these patients confirmed the electron microscopic findings. Therefore, the incidence of adenoma in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism should be critically re-evaluated by ultrastructural studies of the normal glands that should be removed with the enlarged ones.

Computed Tomography for Localizing Enlarged Parathyroid Glands in Primary Hyperparathyroidism

Computed tomography (CT) has been performed in 21 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (HPT) in an attempt to localize preoperatively the parathyroid tumors. Eighteen of these patients also had ultrasound examinations. The CT examinations included the neck and mediastinum and were performed before and after contrast medium administration. At subsequent surgery, 24 enlarged glands were found, 20 in the neck and 4 in the mediastinum. In the neck, two were locally recurrent carcinomas. The true positive diagnostic rate for ultrasound was 60% with a false positive rate of 15% and a false negative rate of 25%. The CT examinations resulted in 70.9% true positive, 8.3% false positive, and 20.8% false negative diagnoses. The combination of both methods in the 18 patients so studied resulted in 80% true positive, 10% false positive, and 10% false negative findings. The CT examination procedure and its interpretation and limitations in primary HPT are described.

Histological and fine structural studies on the parathyroid glands in primary hyperparathyroidism (author's transl)

Histological and fine structural studies on the parathyroid glands in primary hyperparathyroidism (author's transl)