Surgery for patients with primary hyperparathyroidism and negative sestamibi scintigraphy--a feasibility study

Multiglandular Parathyroid Disease

Introduction: Multiglandular parathyroid disease (MGD) is an uncommon cause of primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) and has been reported in the literature in 8–33% of patients with pHPT. The aim of our study was to review the clinical characteristics and management of MGD and evaluation of surgical treatment failures. Methods: We performed a retrospective study of 163 patients with pHPT undergoing parathyroidectomy (PTX) at the Department of General and Endocrine Surgery between 1983 and 2018. All these patients were diagnosed with MGD. This group of patients was compared with a group of 856 patients with solitary disease operated for pHPT in the same period. Results: Among 163 patients—127 (79%) of them had two lesions, 28 (16%) had three, and 8 (5%) four. They were prevalently women over the age of 50. The diagnosis was based on PTH and ionized calcium studies and used sestamibi technetium-99m scintigraphy (MIBI) as well for us. Treatment was surgical. Conclusions: Parathyroidectomy (PTX) for multiglandular parathyroid disease (MGD) is associated with a higher operative risk of failure compared to solitary disease. Preoperative diagnosis and localization of the parathyroid glands is an extremely important element of treatment. Diagnosis is based on PTH and calcium levels. Ultrasonography (USG), MRI, and scintigraphy are very helpful in diagnosis. Mediastinal multiglandular parathyroid disease (MGD) is associated with increased surgical treatment failures. The treatment is surgical and consists of the removal of the masses or complete parathyroidectomy. Based on this study, we support the existence of multiple adenomas and advocate the removal of only macroscopically enlarged parathyroid glands in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism.

Surgical results and the location of pathological glands in the treatment of primary sporadic hyperparathyroidism with negative preoperative 99mTc-sestamibi scintigraphy

INTRODUCTION

The primary hyperparathyroidism is a frequent disease whom the surgery is the only curative treatment. The preoperative location imaging techniques could help in the surgical management. Our objective was to analyze surgical results regarding the cure rate, etiology and location of the glands responsible for the primary hyperparathyroidism in patients with negative preoperative ^99mTc-sestamibi scintigraphy.

METHODS

Observational study in patients with the diagnosis of primary sporadic hyperparathyroidism with negative ^99mTc-sestamibi scintigraphy, operated consecutively in an endocrine surgery unit for 18 years. The cure rate, the intraoperatory PTH, the etiology and the pathological glands location were analyzed.

RESULTS

In the study were included 120 patients. After surgery 95% of patients (n = 114) presented cure criteria of hyperparathyroidism. 14.1% presented a multigland disease. 69% of the adenomas presented a typical perithyroid location, founding a percentage of 23.9% of ectopic adenomas in cervical location and a 7.1% in mediastinum.

CONCLUSIONS

The absence of uptake in the ^99mTc-sestamibi scintigraphy should not condition the surgical indication. The success with experienced surgeons is similar to patients with positive results. The surgical indication must be established by clinical and biochemistry criteria.

Surgical results and the location of pathological glands in the treatment of primary sporadic hyperparathyroidism with negative preoperative 99mTc-sestamibi scintigraphy

INTRODUCTION

The primary hyperparathyroidism is a frequent disease whom the surgery is the only curative treatment. The preoperative location imaging techniques could help in the surgical management. Our objective was to analyze surgical results regarding the cure rate, etiology and location of the glands responsible for the primary hyperparathyroidism in patients with negative preoperative 99mTc-sestamibi scintigraphy.

METHODS

Observational study in patients with the diagnosis of primary sporadic hyperparathyroidism with negative 99mTc-sestamibi scintigraphy, operated consecutively in an Endocrine Surgery Unit for 18 years. The cure rate, the intraoperatory parathyroid hormone (PTH), the etiology and the pathological glands location were analyzed.

RESULTS

In the study were included 120 patients. After surgery 95% of patients (n = 114) presented cure criteria of hyperparathyroidism. The 14.1% presented a multigland disease; 69% of the adenomas presented a typical perithyroid location, founding a percentage of 23.9% of ectopic adenomas in cervical location and a 7.1% in mediastinum.

CONCLUSIONS

The absence of uptake in the 99mTc-sestamibi scintigraphy should not condition the surgical indication. The success with experienced surgeons is similar to patients with positive results. The surgical indication must be established by clinical and biochemistry criteria.

Surgery versus Imaging in Non-Localizing Primary Hyperparathyroidism: A Cost-Effectiveness Model

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether advanced imaging is cost-effective compared to primary bilateral neck exploration in the management of non-localizing primary hyperparathyroidism.

STUDY DESIGN

Cost-effectiveness analysis.

METHODS

Cost-effectiveness analysis based on decision tree model and available Medicare financial data using data from 347 consecutive patients having parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism with either 1) positive, concordant ultrasound and sestamibi or 2) negative sestamibi and negative ultrasound.

RESULTS

Bilateral neck exploration (BNE) costs $9578 and has a success rate of 97.3%. Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) + minimally invasive parathyroidectomy (MIP) was modeled to have a total cost of $8197 with a success rate of 98.6%. SPECT/computed tomography (CT) + MIP was modeled to have a total cost of $8271 and a 98.9% success rate. Four-dimensional (4D)-CT + MIP was modeled to cost $8146 with a success rate of 99%. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (IECR) (as compared to BNE) were -536.1, -605.5, and -701.6 ($/percent cure rate) for SPECT, SPECT/CT, and 4D-CT respectively. One-way sensitivity analyses demonstrate the change in IECR and cut-off points (IECR = 0) for four major variables.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with non-localizing primary hyperparathyroidism, advanced imaging is associated with cost-savings compared to routine bilateral neck exploration. Increased cost-savings were predicted with increased imaging accuracy and decreased imaging costs. Increasing time for BNE or decreasing time for MIP were associated with increased cost savings.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III Laryngoscope, 2020.

Postoperative Horner's syndrome following excision of incidental cervical ganglioneuroma during hemithyroidectomy and parathyroid gland exploration

This 49-year-old woman was referred to ear, nose and throat (ENT) with primary hyperparathyroidism. Imaging studies failed to localise the adenoma so she required four-gland parathyroid exploration. She also required diagnostic left hemithyroidectomy as she had a U3 nodule with multiple insufficient fine needle aspirations (FNAs). Intraoperatively, the left thyroidectomy proceeded uneventfully. No convincing left inferior parathyroid gland was identified however palpation revealed a 1 cm mass just medial to carotid artery. This was excised as probable ectopic parathyroid gland. She was discharged two days later. Thirteen days postoperatively she attended Eye Casualty with a left-sided Horner's syndrome. A CT angio of aortic arch was normal. She was reviewed at ENT outpatients. Histopathology report of the expected ectopic parathyroid gland returned as benign ganglioneuroma, likely arising from her left sympathetic chain. Horner's syndrome is a common side effect from excision of ganglioneuromas, but an incredibly rare side effect from thyroid or parathyroid surgery.

Intraoperative Parathyroid Hormone Monitoring in Guiding Adequate Parathyroidectomy

BACKGROUND

Parathyroidectomy has been traditionally performed through bilateral neck exploration (BNE). However, with the use of intraoperative parathyroid hormone (IOPTH) assay along with preoperative localization studies, focused parathyroidectomy can be performed with good surgical success rate, multiglandular disease can be predicted, and hence recurrence and surgical failure can be prevented. Furthermore, it predicts eucalcemia in the postoperative period. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of IOPTH assay in guiding adequate parathyroidectomy in patients of primary hyperparathyroidism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between year 2015 and 2017, 45 patients of primary hyperparathyroidism underwent parathyroidectomy with IOPTH assay employed as an intraoperative tool to guide the surgical procedure. Blood samples were collected: (1) at preincision time, (2) preexcision of gland, (3) 5-min postexcision of gland, and (4) 10-min postexcision of gland. On the basis of the Irvin criterion, an intraoperative PTH drop >50% from the highest either preincision or preexcision level after parathyroid excision was considered a surgical success. Otherwise, BNE was performed and search for other parathyroid glands done.

RESULTS

Ten-min postexcision PTH levels dropped >50% in 34 (75.6%) patients. True positive among them were 31 (68.8%), true negative 8 (17.7%), false positive 3 (6.6%), and false negative 3 (6.6%). We performed focused exploration at the outset in 40 (88.9%) patients and bilateral exploration for five patients as guided by preoperative localizing studies. Hence, IOPTH was helpful in guiding further exploration in 8 (17.7%) patients and prevented further exploration in 32 (71.1%) patients and also was able to predict eucalcemia in 97.7% patients at 6 months. Thus, IOPTH was able to obviate or to ask for additional procedure in 88.8% of patients. However, in three (6.6%) patients, IOPTH would guide unnecessary exploration and in equally, that is, three (6.6%) patients may require reoperation for unidentified parathyroids.

CONCLUSION

IOPTH in adjunct with other localizing studies is very helpful for carrying out successful parathyroidectomy in uniglandular disease and predicting postoperative eucalcemia. However, more importantly, its role is valuable in equivocal imaging, in such cases, it prevents unnecessary exploration or helps in adequate parathyroidectomy.

Biochemical and pathologic factors affecting technetium-99m-methoxyisobutylisonitrile imaging results in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism

OBJECTIVE

Technetium 99 m methoxyisobutylisonitrile (Tc-99m MIBI) scintigraphy represents the most commonly utilized imaging modality for the detection of the diseased gland in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). In this study, we aimed to identify potential biological factors with an impact on MIBI sensitivity.

METHODS

A total of 147 patients with surgically confirmed parathyroid adenomas were assessed retrospectively. Data including medical history, biochemical and hormonal measurements, cervical US, Tc-99m MIBI scans as well as pathology reports were retrieved and recorded.

RESULTS

Of the 147 patients, there were a total of 77, 39, and 31 cases with a positive, negative, and suspicious parathyroid adenoma on Tc-99m MIBI scan, respectively. Serum calcium (Ca), parathyroid hormone (PTH) and 25 (OH) D levels were comparable among MIBI positive and negative patients [Ca: 11.5 ± 0.9 vs 11.3 ± 0.9 mg/dL (P = 0.42); PTH: 216 (146-347) vs 194 (140-317) pg/mL (P = 0.45); 25(OH)D: 8.4 (5.7-18.2) vs 10.0 (4.7-23.3) ng/mL (P = 0.64), respectively]. P-glycoprotein (P-gp) staining was negative in both groups. Also, pathological examination of tissue preparations revealed no difference in terms of the volume of the adenomas, incidence of cystic adenomas, cell-type dominance (oxyphilic cell), percent fat, and Ki-67 ratio in MIBI positive and negative groups. The rate of hyalinization was 13% in MIBI positive and 28% in MIBI negative subjects, the difference being statistically significant (P = 0.04).

CONCLUSION

Presence of hyalinization in parathyroid adenomas was found to be negatively correlated with MIBI scan results.

Is Unilateral Neck Surgery Feasible in Patients with Sporadic Primary Hyperparathyroidism and Double Negative Localisation?

INTRODUCTION

Ultrasound and Tc99mMIBI scans are used to localise parathyroid tumours in sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT). Intra-operative PTH (ioPTH) assay facilitates unilateral neck exploration (UNE). When both ultrasound and MIBI are negative, it is our policy to explore the left side of the neck and only proceed to bilateral neck exploration (BNE) when either a tumour is not found or when ioPTH does not fall to >50% of the highest pre-excision value. The aim of this study was to investigate the outcome of our approach to 'double negative' patients.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of patients undergoing primary parathyroidectomy for pHPT. Data were obtained from a prospective surgical database and the hospital electronic patient record.

RESULTS

Between January 2004 and November 2014, 746 patients underwent a parathyroidectomy for pHPT. Those who did not have both pre-operative scans, ioPTH or a minimum of 6-month follow-up were excluded. Of 552 patients, 111 (20%) had double negative scans (group A), and in 441, either one or both scans were positive (group B). Median age was 61.5 years (range 10-88). Pre-operative PTH level was significantly lower in group A: 11.8 pmol/l (range 3.1-38.8) versus 14.9 pmol/l (range 2.8-101.6; P < 0.01). Median tumour weight was significantly lower in group A: 280 mg (range 50-3710) versus 573 mg (range 10-12,000; P < 0.01). Overall rate of multiple gland disease (MGD) was 11%; 24% in group A and 7% in group B (P < 0.01). Overall rate of UNE in Group A was 28% and converse to the rate in Group B (76%; P < 0.01). Sensitivity and specificity of ioPTH to detect MGD were 98 and 98% in Group A versus 98 and 100% in Group B. First-time cure rate was 92.7% in group A and 96.8% in group B (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

A double negative scan is associated with small tumours and higher rates of MGD. Despite these challenges, surgery is successful in this group of patients reinforcing the message that negative localisation is not a contraindication for parathyroidectomy. We demonstrated that it is feasible to offer unilateral neck surgery to 28% of patients with double negative scans. A randomised trial is needed to compare BNE with ioPTH/UNE in this select population.

Feasibility of unilateral parathyroidectomy in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism and negative or discordant localization studies

The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility of unilateral parathyroidectomy in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism and negative or discordant localization studies. We included in our study 72 patients with preoperative diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism who had negative or discordant preoperative studies. In 66 patients, studies were discordant while in six were both negative. In 40 (55.6 %) patients initial approach was a bilateral exploration. In 32 cases (44.4 %) initial surgery was a unilateral exploration: in 26 conservative approach was successful, in six mini-invasive surgery failed and a bilateral exploration was necessary due to IOPTH negative test (five cases) or to the impossibility to find a pathological gland during exploration (one case). Intra-operative PTH test showed a sensitivity of 93.2 %, a specificity of 92.3 %, and an accuracy of 93.1 %. Multiple gland disease was found in 8 (11.1 %) patients (two double adenoma and six multiple gland hyperplasia). Mean operative time was lower in unilateral exploration group (87.9 ± 43.8 min). Comparing unilateral surgery in negative or discordant studies with 77 consecutive patients who underwent focused surgery with positive and concordant studies, conversion to bilateral exploration rate was statistically significantly higher in the first group (15.6 %). We believe that unilateral parathyroidectomy can be safely performed also in patients with discordant localization studies with a high cure rate; in these cases, however, the use of intra-operative PTH is absolutely necessary. We suggest the need for referral of these patients to high-volume medical centers for thyroid and parathyroid surgery.

Sporadic multiple parathyroid gland disease--a consensus report of the European Society of Endocrine Surgeons (ESES)

BACKGROUND

Sporadic multiglandular disease (MGD) has been reported in literature in 8-33 % of patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT). This paper aimed to review controversies in the pathogenesis and management of sporadic MGD.

METHODS

A literature search and review was made to evaluate the level of evidence concerning diagnosis and management of sporadic MGD according to criteria proposed by Sackett, with recommendation grading by Heinrich et al. and Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system. Results were discussed at the 6th Workshop of the European Society of Endocrine Surgeons entitled 'Hyperparathyroidism due to multiple gland disease: An evidence-based perspective'.

RESULTS

Literature reports no prospective randomised studies; thus, a relatively low level of evidence was achieved. Appropriate surgical therapy of sporadic MGD should consist of a bilateral approach in most patients. Unilateral neck exploration guided by preoperative imaging should be reserved for selected patients, performed by an experienced endocrine surgeon and monitored by intraoperative parathormone assay (levels of evidence III-V, grade C recommendation). There is conflicting or equally weighted levels IV-V evidence supporting that cure rates can be similar or worse for sporadic MGD than for single adenomas (no recommendation). Best outcomes can be expected if surgery is performed by an experienced parathyroid surgeon working in a high-volume centre (grade C recommendation). Levels IV-V evidence supports that recurrent/persistence pHPT occurs more frequently in patients with double adenomas hence in situations where a double adenoma has been identified, the surgeon should have a high index of suspicion during surgery and postoperatively for the possibility of a four-gland disease (grade C recommendation).

CONCLUSIONS

Identifying preoperatively patients at risk for MGD remains challenging, intraoperative decisions are important for achieving acceptable cure rates and long-term follow-up is mandatory in such patients.

Diagnostic value and clinical impact of complementary CT scan prior to surgery for non-localized primary hyperparathyroidism

INTRODUCTION

Successful localization is mandatory for focused parathyroidectomy. If ultrasound and sestamibi scan are negative, bilateral neck exploration is necessary. We examined the contribution of complementary computed tomography (CT) scan to identify the affected parathyroid gland.

METHODS

Between November 1999 and April 2014, 25 patients (20 females and 5 males; mean age 67 ± 11 years) with negative or dubious standard imaging (ultrasound and sestamibi scan) underwent CT scan prior to parathyroidectomy and were included in this study. Fifteen patients had had previous neck surgery for parathyroidectomy (n = 11) or thyroidectomy (n = 4). Thin-slice CT (n = 9) or four-dimensional (4D) CT imaging (n = 16) was used. Cure was defined as >50 % post-excision fall of intraoperatively measured parathyroid hormone or fall into the normal range, confirmed by normocalcaemia at least 6 months after surgery.

RESULTS

Preoperative CT scan provided correct localization in 13 out of 25 patients (52 %) and was false positive once. Parathyroidectomy was performed by a focused approach in 11 of these 13 patients as well as in 1 patient guided by intraoperatively measured parathyroid hormone (ioPTH). Thirteen patients required bilateral neck exploration. The cure rate was 96 % (24/25 patients). One patient has persistent primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) and one a recurrent disease. Six patients presented a multiglandular disease.

CONCLUSION

A CT scan identifies about half of abnormal parathyroid glands missed by conventional imaging and allows focused surgery in selected cases.

The utility of 4-dimensional computed tomography for preoperative localization of primary hyperparathyroidism in patients not localized by sestamibi or ultrasonography

BACKGROUND

To determine the sensitivity and clinical application of 4-dimensional computed tomography (4D CT) for the localization of patients with primary hyperparathyroidism when ultrasonography (US) and sestamibi scans (STS) are negative.

METHODS

We compiled a database of 872 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism who underwent parathyroid operation by a single surgeon from January 2003 to September 2013. Seventy-three patients who failed to have positive localization by US or STS were identified. Thirty-six underwent operation without a preoperative 4D CT, and 37 underwent operation after 4D CT.

RESULTS

In patients not localized by US or STS, 4D CT was 89% sensitive in localizing an abnormal parathyroid gland when reviewed blindly by a radiologist specializing in endocrine localization studies, yielding a positive likelihood ratio of 0.89 and positive predictive value of 74%. Sensitivity, positive likelihood ratio, and positive predictive value for correct gland lateralization were 93%, 0.93, and 80%. The average size of parathyroid glands removed after preoperative localization by 4D CT was 404 mg and 0.57 cm3 (SD = 280, 0.64), compared with 259 mg and 0.39 cm3 (SD = 166, 0.21) in patients not localized by 4D CT. A focused, unilateral exploration was performed in 38% of patients with preoperative localization by 4D CT compared with 19% of patients without 4D CT (χ2 = 3.0, P = .041).

CONCLUSION

4D CT provided a positive localization in a clinically substantial number of patients not able to be localized by US or STS, which enabled an increased rate of successful, focused, unilateral operations compared with patients who did not undergo a 4D CT.

Surgery for primary hyperparathyroidism in patients with preoperatively negative sestamibi scan and discordant imaging studies: the usefulness of intraoperative parathyroid hormone monitoring

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of intraoperative parathyroid hormone (PTH) monitoring on surgical strategy, intraoperative findings, and outcome in patients with negative sestamibi scintigraphy and with discordant imaging studies. We divided our 175 patients into 3 groups: group A was methoxyisobutylisonitrile (MIBI)-positive and ultrasonography positive and was concordant (114 patients), group B was MIBI-positive and ultrasonography-negative (50 patients), and group C was MIBI—and ultrasonography-negative (11 patients). The overall operative success was 99.12% in group A, 98% in group B, and 90.91% in group C, with an incidence of multiglandular disease of 3.5% in group A, 12% in group B, and 9.09% in group C. Intraoperative PTH monitoring changed the operative management in 2.63% of patients in group A and 14% in group B. The use of intraoperative PTH achieves to obtain excellent results in the treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism in high-volume centers, even in the most difficult cases, during MIBI-negative and discordant preoperative imaging studies.

Intraoperative parathyroid hormone assay during focused parathyroidectomy: the importance of 20 minutes measurement

Background

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) monitoring during the surgical procedure can confirm the removal of all hyperfunctioning parathyroid tissue, as the half-life of PTH is approximately 5 min. The commonly applied Irvin criterion is reported to correctly predict post-operative calcium levels in 96-98% of patients. However, the PTH baseline reference concentration is markedly influenced by surgical manipulations during preparation of the affected glands, interindividual variability of the PTH half-life and modifications in the physiological state of the patient during surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible impact of the measurement of intraoperative PTH 20 minutes after surgery.

Methods

Between 2003 and 2012, 188 patients underwent a focused parathyroidectomy associated to rapid intraoperative PTH assay monitoring. Blood samples were collected: 1) at pre-incision time, 2) at 10 min after gland excision and 3) at 20 min after excision, if a sufficient reduction of PTH value was not observed. On the bases of the Irvin criterion, an intra-operative PTH drop>50% from the highest either pre-incision or pre-excision level after parathyroid excision was considered a surgical success.

Results

A >50% decrease of PTH after gland excision compared to the highest pre-excision value occurred in 156/188 patients (83%) within 10 min and in further 12/188 after 20 minutes (6.4%). In the remaining 20 patients (10.6%) values of PTH remained substantially unchanged or decreased less than 50% and for this reason bilateral neck exploration was performed. An additional pathologic parathyroid was removed in 9 cases, a third in one. In the other 10 cases further neck exploration by a standard cervical approach was negative and in four of these persistent postoperative hypercalcemia was demonstrated. The overall operative success was 97.3%. Intraoperative PTH monitoring was accurate in predicting operative success or failure in 96.3% of patients.

Conclusions

The 20 minutes PTH measurement appears very useful, avoiding unnecessary bilateral exploration and the related risk of complications with only a slight increase of the duration of surgery and of the costs. PTH values decreasing appeared to be influenced by surgical manipulations during minimally invasive parathyroidectomy.

Open mini-incision parathyroidectomy for solitary parathyroid adenoma

Parathyroid surgery is the acceptable definitive treatment for primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) due to parathyroid adenoma. Open mini-incision parathyroidectomy (O-MIP) has an excellent cure rate and minimal morbidity. We aim to demonstrate the safety, efficacy and subjective patient satisfaction of O-MIP and investigate the accuracy of pre-operative radiological localisation in relation to operative findings. A retrospective review of patients who underwent O-MIP for pHPT due to solitary parathyroid adenoma from April 2006 to August 2012 was performed. All patients were initially investigated by an endocrinologist to confirm pHPT with pre-operative localisation imaging using ultrasound scan (USS) and 99mTc-sestamibi (MIBI). One hundred and fifty consecutive patients were included with a median age of 62 years. Pre-operative USS and MIBI scans were concordant in 71 % of cases. In combined modality (USS and MIBI), localisation was 94.8 % accurate. There was 95.5 % identification of parathyroid tissue confirmed by intra-operative frozen section. Ninety-one percent of patients were treated as a day case. The median operative time was 60 min. The mean pre-operative calcium level was 2.98 mmol/l, and the short-to-medium term mean calcium level was 2.49 (Paired t test, p < 0.001). There was no significant complication. O-MIP confers significant advantages over the traditional gold standard treatment of bilateral neck exploration. Accurate localisation is the key to successful O-MIP. In experienced hands, ultrasound and MIBI may be the only pre-operative investigations required for accurate localisation.

Feasibility of video-assisted bilateral neck exploration for patients with primary hyperparathyroidism and failed or discordant localization studies

PURPOSE

Minimally invasive video-assisted parathyroidectomy (MIVAP) is generally adopted for patients affected by primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) with clear preoperative localization. Standard bilateral neck exploration (BNE) is considered the obligate surgery for patients with unlocalized glands. We reviewed our experience of minimally invasive video-assisted BNE in patients with pHPT and negative or discordant localization studies.

METHODS

From a prospective series of 576 MIVAP for pHPT, 107 patients (19 males, 88 females; mean age 58 years) with failed localization studies underwent BNE using the video-assisted technique. Operative time, complications, conversions to standard cervical exploration, and cure rate were analyzed.

RESULTS

MIVAP with BNE was successfully completed in 99 (93 %) patients with 8 conversions. Mean operative time was 57 ± 37 min (range 20-180 min). Permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy occurred in one patient. Biochemical cure was achieved in 104 patients (97 %). Five patients required a reoperation in the immediate postoperative period, which achieved cure in four. Two patients remained with persistent disease; one developed recurrence disease 3 years after the first exploration.

CONCLUSION

In experienced hands, video-assisted BNE for pHPT is feasible and safe and provides results equivalent to the conventional open technique.

[Intraoperative parathyroid hormone determination for primary hyperparathyroidism]

Intraoperative parathyroid hormone measurement (IOPTH) has proved to be an important promoter for focused and minimally invasive parathyroidectomy procedures in primary hyperparathyroidism. IOPTH enables multiglandular disease to be excluded with a high degree of certainty at the time of operation. The choice of the cut-off value for IOPTH as the criterion for success is of utmost importance with respect to the prognosis for operative success (biochemical healing). Advantages and disadvantages of the variety of existing IOPTH success criteria are confusing and their assessment is contradictory. Particularly with respect to cost-benefit aspects the standard application of IOPTH as "biochemical frozen section" even in conventional open parathyroidectomy remains a matter of controversy. This article gives an up-date on current knowledge and provides practical guidelines for clinical use of IOPTH.