Parathyromatosis: a rare yet problematic etiology of recurrent and persistent hyperparathyroidism

A case of mediastinal hyperparathyromatosis

Recurrent hyperparathyroidism (HPT) after initial parathyroid surgery occurs rarely in an ectopic location. The rare phenomenon of parathyromatosis may be the cause of this. We present the case of a 59-year-old woman with recurrent HPT, which presented as a new ectopic mediastinal parathyroid gland 13 years after initial 3.5 gland parathyroidectomy. A 1.5 × 1.3 cm lesion was discovered as an incidental finding in the pretracheal region, closely abutting the aortic arch. An aspirate revealed oncocytic cells, which were positive for parathyroid hormone, confirming a mediastinal parathyroid nodule. Sestamibi scan confirmed an avid nodule in the mediastinum. This patient had multiple co-morbidities but was asymptomatic of HPT. It was therefore decided at multi-disciplinary team discussion that she should undergo surveillance. To our knowledge, no such presentations have been reported in the literature. Thus, our case report is a unique addition of an atypical presentation of HPT.

Molecular and Clinical Spectrum of Primary Hyperparathyroidism

Recent data suggest an increase in the overall incidence of parathyroid disorders, with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) being the most prevalent parathyroid disorder. PHPT is associated with morbidities (fractures, kidney stones, chronic kidney disease) and increased risk of death. The symptoms of PHPT can be nonspecific, potentially delaying the diagnosis. Approximately 15% of patients with PHPT have an underlying heritable form of PHPT that may be associated with extraparathyroidal manifestations, requiring active surveillance for these manifestations as seen in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 and 2A. Genetic testing for heritable forms should be offered to patients with multiglandular disease, recurrent PHPT, young onset PHPT (age ≤40 years), and those with a family history of parathyroid tumors. However, the underlying genetic cause for the majority of patients with heritable forms of PHPT remains unknown. Distinction between sporadic and heritable forms of PHPT is useful in surgical planning for parathyroidectomy and has implications for the family. The genes currently known to be associated with heritable forms of PHPT account for approximately half of sporadic parathyroid tumors. But the genetic cause in approximately half of the sporadic parathyroid tumors remains unknown. Furthermore, there is no systemic therapy for parathyroid carcinoma, a rare but potentially fatal cause of PHPT. Improved understanding of the molecular characteristics of parathyroid tumors will allow us to identify biomarkers for diagnosis and novel targets for therapy.

Recurrent parathyromatosis in a patient with concomitant MEN1 and CASR gene alterations: Clinical management of a case report and literature review

Introduction

Parathyromatosis is a rare cause of primitive hyperparathyroidism characterized by the presence of numerous parathyroid tissue foci in the neck/mediastinum, due to hyperplasia of parathyroid embryologic residues (primary-form) or to local parathyroid tissue implantation (secondary-form). 63 cases have been described in the literature. In our patient parathyromatosis was due to a combination of two mutations.

Case report

A 36-years-old woman was diagnosed with osteoporosis secondary to primary hyperparathyroidism. Subsequent right parathyroidectomy showed a parathyroid adenoma. The follow-up was negative but after 10 years she had a relapse. The genetic screening showed a rare intronic mutation of the MEN1 gene and a heterozygous mutation never described in exon 8 of the CASR gene, coding for the calcium receptor. Calcemia and PTH increased over the years with the onset of nephrocalcinosis and the worsening of osteoporosis despite the therapy with Cinacalcet, bisphosphonates and Vitamin D. She had therefore two additional surgical procedures (parathyroid tissue without malignancy). At follow-up she showed elevated levels of PTH (>1000 pg/ml) and calcium (11.2 mg/dl) and CT scans multiple subcentimetric nodules in the neck/upper mediastinum. Since the 68Ga-DOTATATE showed an increased uptake in the neck/mediastinum, lanreotide was added. After two months there was a significant biochemical response but, unfortunately, after six months, the patient showed a new worsening.

Conclusions

a rare case of parathyromatosis due to a combination of two genetic alterations never described. The main issues concern the diagnosis and the radical treatment. Somatostatin analogues may have a useful role in both diagnosis and therapy.

Recurrent renal secondary hyperparathyroidism caused by supernumerary mediastinal parathyroid gland and parathyromatosis: A case report

Background

Surgical parathyroidectomy (PTX) is necessary for patients with severe and progressive secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) refractory to medical treatment. Recurrence of SHPT after PTX is a serious clinical problem. Both supernumerary mediastinal parathyroid gland and parathyromatosis are the rare causes of recurrent renal SHPT. We report a rare case of recurrent renal SHPT due to supernumerary mediastinal parathyroid gland and parathyromatosis.

Case presentation

A 53-year-old man underwent total parathyroidectomy with autotransplantation due to the drug-refractory SHPT 17 years ago. In the last 11 months, the patient experienced symptoms including bone pain and skin itch, and the serum intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) level elevated to 1,587 pg/ml. Ultrasound detected two hypoechoic lesions located at the dorsal area of right lobe of the thyroid gland, and both lesions presented as characteristics of hyperparathyroidism in contrast-enhanced ultrasound. ^99mTc-MIBI/SPECT detected a nodule in the mediastinum. A reoperation involved a cervicotomy for excising parathyromatosis lesions and the surrounding tissue and a thoracoscopic surgery for resecting a mediastinal parathyroid gland. According to a histological examination, two lesions behind the right thyroid lobe and one lesion in the central region had been defined as parathyromatosis. A nodule in the mediastinum was consistent with hyperplastic parathyroid. The patient remained well for 10 months with alleviated symptoms and stabilized iPTH levels in the range of 123-201 pg/ml.

Conclusion

Although rare, recurrent SHPT may be caused by a coexistence of both supernumerary parathyroid glands and parathyromatosis, which should receive more attention. The combination of imaging modalities is important for reoperative locations of parathyroid lesions. To successfully treat parathyromatosis, all the lesions and the surrounding tissue must be excised. Thoracoscopic surgery is a reliable and safe approach for the resection of ectopic mediastinal parathyroid glands.

Surgical Aspects of Primary Hyperparathyroidism

Parathyroidectomy (PTX) is the treatment of choice for symptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). It is also the treatment of choice in asymptomatic PHPT with evidence for target organ involvement. This review updates surgical aspects of PHPT and proposes the following definitions based on international expert consensus: selective PTX (and reasons for conversion to an extended procedure), bilateral neck exploration for non-localized or multigland disease, subtotal PTX, total PTX with immediate or delayed autotransplantation, and transcervical thymectomy and extended en bloc PTX for parathyroid carcinoma. The systematic literature reviews discussed covered (i) the use of intraoperative PTH (ioPTH) for localized single-gland disease and (ii) the management of low BMD after PTX. Updates based on prospective observational studies are presented concerning PTX for multigland disease and hereditary PHPT syndromes, histopathology, intraoperative adjuncts, localization techniques, perioperative management, "reoperative" surgery and volume/outcome data. Postoperative complications are few and uncommon (<3%) in centers performing over 40 PTXs per year. This review is the first global consensus about surgery in PHPT and reflects the current practice in leading endocrine surgery units worldwide. © 2022 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).

Effective long-term management of parathyromatosis-related refractory hypercalcemia with a combination of denosumab and cinacalcet treatment

Parathyromatosis is a rare cause of persistent or recurrent primary hyperparathyroidism and hypercalcemia due to the presence of hyperfunctioning foci of parathyroid tissue in the neck and/or mediastinum. We describe the case of a male patient who presented with severe hypercalcemia and a left-sided palpable parathyroid mass. Over the course of the next 18 years, the patient underwent neck exploration surgery on multiple occasions due to recurrent primary hyperparathyroidism and refractory hypercalcemia, complicated by nephrolithiasis and impairment of renal function, while bone mineral density was preserved. Histological findings and the natural course of the disease were consistent with parathyromatosis. Medical interventions with oral bisphosphonates or high-dose cinacalcet failed to control the patient's hypercalcemia. The combination of monthly denosumab and cinacalcet was, however, successful in maintaining the patient's serum calcium in the normal/upper-normal range over a 36-month period with no significant side effects. This is the first report of off-label denosumab use in combination with cinacalcet in the long-term management of parathyromatosis-related refractory hypercalcemia.

Persistent hyperparathyroidism secondary to ectopic parathyroid adenoma in lung: Case report

Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is the most prevalent cause of hypercalcemia, affecting 0.3% of the population. The only curative procedure is parathyroidectomy. Persistent PHPT occurs in 4.7 percent of patients, even in the most skilled hands. Ectopic adenomas are challenging to localize before and during surgery and frequently result in persistent PHPT. We presented a case with persistent PHPT due to lung parathyroid adenoma that was successfully resected with video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. A 55-year-old female patient was admitted to our endocrinology clinic with persistent PHPT after four neck explorations over 16 years. The last ⁹⁹m Tc-MIBI scintigraphy with SPECT showed nothing suggestive of parathyroid adenoma, neither in the neck nor the mediastinum, but a solitary nodule as an incidental finding was reported in the lower lobe of the right lung, which was highly probable for a parathyroid adenoma in a fluorodeoxyglucose PET scan. Pathological examination ruled out parathyromatosis and lung malignancy; despite its location outside the anticipated embryonic pathway, pathology revealed the presence of an ectopic parathyroid adenoma. After the surgery, serum parathyroid hormone and calcium levels decreased, and hypoparathyroidism was corrected with calcium carbonate and calcitriol.

Safety and diagnostic performance of parathyroid hormone assay in fine-needle aspirate in suspicious parathyroid adenomas

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the safety and diagnostic performance of parathyroid hormone assay in fine-needle aspirate (PTH-FNA) in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism and suspicious parathyroid adenomas.

METHODOLOGY

A retrospective observational study was performed in 47 patients (57.7 ± 11.2 years of average age, 74% women) attending an endocrinology clinic for primary hyperparathyroidism (average calcemia: 11.6 ± 1.6 mg/dl and PTH: 276 ± 477 pg/mL) in which PTH-FNA was made. Sensibility, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were calculated in all surgical patients.

RESULTS

Forty-seven lesions were punctured (mean adenoma maximum diameter: 1.8 ± 2.6 cm): negative image in the sestamibi scan (26 patients); the discordance between ultrasonography and the sestamibi scan (6 patients); possible intrathyroidal adenomas (4 patients); a positive sestamibi scan in 2 or more localizations (4 patients); ectopic adenoma (3 patients); persistent primary hyperparathyroidism (2 patients) and atypical adenomas (2 patients). Mean PTH-FNA was 2853 ± 3957 pg/mL and 68% were considered positive (PTH-FNA ≥ 100 pg/mL). No complications were detected during or after the puncture. Thirty-seven patients were operated on, 95% were cured and no parathyromatosis cases were detected. PTH-FNA ≥ 100 pg/mL as a diagnostic test had a sensitivity of 93.7%, a specificity of 100%, a positive predictive value of 100% and an negative predictive value of 71.4%.

CONCLUSION

PTH-FNA is an easy and safe diagnostic test and has a high sensitivity and specificity for differentiating between parathyroid adenomas and other cervical masses in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism.

Hypercalcemia during pregnancy: management and outcomes for mother and child

Diagnosing and treating hypercalcemia during pregnancy can be challenging due to both the physiological changes in calcium homeostasis and the underlying cause for the hypercalcemia. During pregnancy and lactation there is increased mobilization of calcium in the mother to meet the fetus' calcium requirements. Here we discuss the diagnostic challenges, management, and patient perspective of hypercalcemia during pregnancy in two particular cases and in other rare conditions causing hypercalcemia.

Persistent secondary hyperparathyroidism caused by parathyromatosis and supernumerary parathyroid glands in a patient on haemodialysis

Background

Secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) is a common high-risk factor for mortality in end-stage renal disease, and parathyromatosis and supernumerary parathyroid glands are very rare causes of persistent SHPT. Preoperative diagnosis and removal of all hyperplastic parathyroid glands are challenging. We report a rare case of persistent SHPT due to parathyromatosis and supernumerary parathyroid glands and successful management by multiple imaging modalities.

Case presentation

A 53-year-old Chinese woman on haemodialysis experienced discomfort due to itching and bone pain due to persistent SHPT after parathyroidectomy. The supernumerary parathyroid glands and parathyromatosis were detected by multiple imaging modalities, including ^99mTc-sestamibi (^99mTc-MIBI) scans, ultrasonography and four-dimensional computed tomography (4D-CT) and then excised; pathological confirmation was performed. During follow-up, her serum calcium and parathyroid hormone levels were stable in the appropriate ranges, and no complications arose.

Conclusions

Because of persistent SHPH after parathyroidectomy in patients with haemodialysis, multiple imaging modalities, including ^99mTc-MIBI scans, 4D-CT and ultrasonography, are helpful for detecting supernumerary parathyroid glands and parathyromatoses. Accurate preoperative localization of this rare lesion is important for management, enabling the removal of all affected parathyroid tissues.

Parathyromatosis type 2 detected by 99mTc-MIBI SPECT/CT

Parathyromatosis, which is defined as multiple foci of benign hyperfunctioning parathyroid tissue in neck or mediastinum, is a rare but severe cause of persistent/recurrent renal hyperparathyroidism (rHPT) after parathyroidectomy (PTX). It is hard to detect and remove all the foci. We present a case of parathyromatosis in a haemodialysed patient, who had three PTXs for persistent/recurrent rHPT and was free of recurrence during 31-month follow-up after the third PTX. ^99mTc-MIBI SPECT/CT scan prior to the third PTX located all the lesions. The presented case suggests that preoperative ^99mTc-MIBI SPECT/CT is useful for successful surgical removal of parathyromatosis.

Parathyromatosis: a very rare cause of recurrent primary hyperparathyroidism - case report and review of the literature

Parathyromatosis is a rare entity and usually appears as a consequence of the seeding on previous parathyroid surgery which was applied for the secondary hyperparathyroidism. A 63-year-old woman presented with a history of subtotal thyroidectomy 20 years ago and parathyroidectomy due to primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) four years ago. Imaging methods revealed multiple parathyromatosis foci on subcutaneous tissue of the neck. En-bloc resection was performed and pathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of parathyromatosis. After an uneventful 10 months, biochemical and radiological tests revealed recurrence on bilateral thyroid lodges. En-bloc resection was performed. The patient has remained well for 24 months after the second operation and has been followed-up with normal parathormone and serum calcium values. To the best of our knowledge, this report describes the twenty-first case of parathyromatosis in PHPT setting in the literature. It should be kept in mind that parathyromatosis may recur at different sites in the neck even in patients with PHPT.

PARATHYROMATOSIS: A RARE CASE OF RECURRENT HYPERPARATHYROIDISM LOCALIZED BY FOUR-DIMENSIONAL COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY

Objective

To present a rare case of parathyromatosis.

Methods

We present the clinical, laboratory, and imaging findings, along with a review of the literature.

Results

A 33-year-old man with a history of right upper parathyroid adenoma removal 5 years prior due to hyperparathyroidism was admitted for severe hypercalcemia (15.6 mg/dL; normal, 8.5 to 10.5 mg/dL) with elevated plasma parathyroid hormone (PTH) (882 pg/mL; normal, 15 to 65 pg/mL). Ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), sestamibi, and positron emission tomography scans were unremarkable; however, a four-dimensional CT (4DCT) of the neck showed an area of increased signal enhancement and hypervascularity without discrete nodule in the posterior right thyroid region. The patient underwent parathyroid surgical exploration with right hemithyroidectomy and compartment neck dissection to remove the affected tissue. PTH levels dropped to 208 pg/mL postoperatively; calcium decreased but remained elevated at 12.7 mg/dL. Pathology revealed the presence of several small nodular foci of atypical hyperplastic parathyroid tissue in the right thyroid and soft tissue in the left central neck compartment consistent with parathyromatosis.

Conclusion

This case report represents the first-time use of 4DCT to localize parathyromatosis. Parathyromatosis is a rare but problematic cause of recurrent hyperparathyroidism. Ultrasound and 4DCT may represent the best imaging modalities for identification and perioperative management to remove all affected tissue without reseeding.

Programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression in parathyroid tumors

INTRODUCTION

PD-L1 is associated with prognosis and immunotherapeutic response in patients with malignancies. In previous studies, PD-L1 expression was detected in many endocrine tumors. However, the PD-L1 expression status in parathyroid tumors is unknown.

METHODS

We included 26 parathyroid carcinoma and 37 adenoma samples, as well as the corresponding patient information. PD-L1 was stained using the FDA-approved PD-L1 IHC 22C3 pharmDx and Ventana PD-L1 (SP263) assays, and staining was assessed by the estimated percentages of positive tumor cells and immune cells, respectively.

RESULTS

We classified the PD-L1 expression in the parathyroid tumors into four groups: (0) <1%, (1) 1-4%, (2) 5-9% and (3) ≥10% positive. With the SP263 clone, 37 (carcinoma:adenoma = 18:19) samples scored 0, 13 (carcinoma:adenoma = 4:9) scored 1, 7 (carcinoma:adenoma = 1:6) scored 2 and 6 (carcinoma:adenoma = 3:3) scored 3. However, in the series of cases using the 22C3 clone, 45 (carcinoma:adenoma = 20:25) samples scored 0, 10 (carcinoma: adenoma = 3:7) scored 1, 5 (carcinoma:adenoma = 1:4) scored 2, and 3 (carcinoma:adenoma = 2:1) scored 3. Concerning tumor-infiltrating immune cells, 57 samples were negative and six were positive with SP263, and 59 were negative and four were positive with 22C3. Moreover, PD-L1 expression was negatively correlated with the Ki-67 index and mitotic rate in parathyroid tumors depending on the different clones. However, the results indicated only moderate consistency between the SP263 and 22C3 clones in parathyroid tumors.

CONCLUSION

We found deficient PD-L1 expression in the majority of parathyroid tumors. However, the PD-L1 expression score in parathyroid tumors depended greatly on the antibody clone used.

The use of cinacalcet hinders the diagnosis of parathyroid carcinoma in a chronic dialysis patient: a case report

Background

Secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) is a common complication in patients receiving chronic dialysis therapy. Although cinacalcet can control parathyroid function and bone turnover, preventing ectopic calcification remains challenging. Cinacalcet can also suppress PTH secretion due to parathyroid carcinoma in the same way as it does for parathyroid hyperplasia in the uremic condition. We present a case of parathyroid carcinoma partially controlled by cinacalcet, in which tumorous calcinosis was successfully resolved by total parathyroidectomy.

Case presentation

A female patient in her forties who had received dialysis for 12 years was referred to our hospital for painful ectopic calcifications on her right hip joint and both knees. Although she had been treated with alfacalcidol and cinacalcet for 2 years, this therapy had been discontinued 6 months earlier as a result of hypercalcemia. The patient exhibited normocalcemia (2.37 mmol/L) and hyperphosphatemia (2.42 mmol/L) with elevated intact parathyroid hormone (707,000 μg/L). Ultrasonography revealed an enlarged parathyroid gland on the left lower side of the thyroid gland. The otolaryngologist surgeons had to perform an en bloc excision to remove this parathyroid gland because of tight adhesions. Histological examination revealed that parathyroid cells had invaded the surrounding skeletal muscle through fibrous capsules, consistent with parathyroid carcinoma. Her joint pain disappeared 2 weeks after parathyroidectomy, and the tumorous calcinosis had largely resolved after 1 year.

Conclusions

Parathyroid carcinoma is a rare cause of hyperparathyroidism in end-stage kidney disease. Our case indicates that the use of cinacalcet hinders the diagnosis of parathyroid carcinoma in a chronic dialysis patient. When uncontrolled hypercalcemia and/or hyperphosphathemia develop during cinacalcet administration, parathyroidectomy should be considered to prevent a vicious exacerbation of ectopic calcification.

Persistent and recurrent hyperparathyroidism

Despite remarkable progress in imaging modalities and surgical management, persistence or recurrence of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) still occurs in 2.5-5% of cases of PHPT. The aim of this review is to expose the management of persistent and recurrent hyperparathyroidism. A literature search was performed on MEDLINE using the search terms "recurrent" or "persistent" and "hyperparathyroidism" within the past 10 years. We also searched the reference lists of articles identified by this search strategy and selected those we judged relevant. Before considering reoperation, the surgeon must confirm the diagnosis of PHPT. Then, the patient must be evaluated with new imaging modalities. A single adenoma is found in 68% of cases, multiglandular disease in 28%, and parathyroid carcinoma in 3%. Others causes (<1%) include parathyromatosis and graft recurrence. The surgeon must balance the benefits against the risks of a reoperation (permanent hypocalcemia and recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy). If surgery is necessary, a focused approach can be considered in cases of significant imaging foci, but in the case of multiglandular disease, a bilateral neck exploration could be necessary. Patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndromes are at high risk of recurrence and should be managed regarding their hereditary pathology. The cure rate of persistent-PHPT or recurrent-PHPT in expert centers is estimated from 93 to 97%. After confirming the diagnosis of PHPT, patients with persistent-PHPT and recurrent-PHPT should be managed in an expert center with all dedicated competencies.

Recurrent primary hyperparathyroidism due to Type 1 parathyromatosis

Parathyromatosis is a rare condition consisting of multiple nodules of benign hyperfunctioning parathyroid tissue scattered throughout the neck and superior mediastinum. As a potential cause of recurrent or persistent hyperparathyroidism, parathyromatosis is a challenging condition to diagnose and treat. The optimal evaluation and management of patients with parathyromatosis is not well established. The reported case involves a patient who was initially diagnosed with primary hyperparathyroidism. The diagnosis of Type 1 parathyromatosis was made after the patient developed recurrent hyperparathyroidism with hypercalcemia and osteoporosis 17 years after the initial operation and underwent two additional operations. The majority of parathyromatosis cases are diagnosed in the setting of secondary hyperparathyroidism. Consensus regarding the preoperative diagnosis and evaluation is lacking due to the paucity of cases of this rare clinical entity. Management involves complete surgical extirpation of all identifiable rests of parathyroid tissue. Intra-operative parathyroid hormone level monitoring and frozen section examination are excellent tools that could increase the rates of initial operative success. Despite this, long-term disease remission is rare, and medical therapy, including calcimimetics and bisphosphonates, may be required for postoperative or non-operative management.

Hyperparathyroidism caused by distant pulmonary lesions and parathyromatosis after ethanol injection/parathyroidectomy for secondary hyperparathyroidism

Secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) treatment includes parathyroidectomy and percutaneous ethanol injection therapy (PEIT), which are invasive procedures. The condition in which benign hyperfunctioning parathyroid tissue is distributed throughout the neck and mediastinum is termed parathyromatosis. Here, we present the case of a 51-year-old woman who began hemodialysis in 1986 due to chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology and developed SHPT in 1999. She underwent 6 rounds of PEIT followed by total a parathyroidectomy with partial forearm autotransplantation. Between 2011 and 2013, surgeons removed several nodules from her pulmonary and cervical regions and the transplanted masses from her forearm; all showed hyperplasia but exhibited no histological evidence of malignancy. Damage to the parathyroid capsule after repeated PEITs may cause local cervical recurrence and pulmonary lesions, although distant lesions are extremely rare in SHPT. This case is of interest due to the possible association between PEIT and parathyromatosis and distal lesions.

A pregnant dilemma: primary hyperparathyroidism due to parathyromatosis in pregnancy

OBJECTIVE

To describe an exceedingly rare case of parathyromatosis in pregnancy and the limited medical treatment options available for such cases that are refractory to surgery.

METHODS

Case presentation and description of clinical course with brief review of the literature.

RESULTS

A 21-year-old woman with a history of 3.5 gland parathyroidectomy presented with severe hyperemesis during her first trimester of pregnancy and was found to have primary hyperparathyroidism attributable to parathyromatosis. We describe the diagnostic and management dilemmas associated with this case, which included localization of the culprit lesions, a technically challenging surgical resection and subsequent medical management with cinacalcet when symptomatic hypercalcemia recurred during the third trimester. To our knowledge, this is only the third report of the successful use of cinacalcet during pregnancy, and the first case report of parathyromatosis presenting during pregnancy.

CONCLUSION

Cinacalcet was used safely and effectively during the third trimester of pregnancy to treat symptomatic hypercalcemia due to parathyromatosis.

[Parathyromatosis: An uncommon cause of recurrent hyperparathyroidism]

INTRODUCTION

Parathyromatosis is a rare cause of recurrent hyperparathyroidism. It results from hyperfunctioning parathyroid tissue scattered throughout the thyroid bed region.

CASE REPORT

A 51-year-old man with a history of parathyroidectomy, presented 18 years later with recurrent primary hyperparathyroidism. Surgical exploration identified a single parathyroid gland. The act was completed by a central compartment dissection and ipsilateral lobectomy. The patient was free of recurrence after a one-year follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Parathyromatosis a rare cause of recurrent hyperparathyroidism. Its management is challenging. Extensive surgery is required with clearance of the central neck compartment and homolateral lobectomy. Medical therapy could be used to decrease parathormone level in recurrent parathyromatosis.

Parasitic thyroid nodules: cancer or not?

In 2006, a 58-year-old woman presented with thyrotoxicosis. She had undergone left hemithyroidectomy 14 years before for a benign follicular adenoma. Ultrasound imaging demonstrated bilateral cervical lymphadenopathy with enhanced tracer uptake in the left lateral neck on a Technetium-99m uptake scan. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy of a left lateral neck node was insufficient for a cytological diagnosis; however, thyroglobulin (Tg) washings were strongly positive. The clinical suspicion was of functionally active metastatic thyroid cancer in cervical lymph nodes. A completion thyroidectomy and bilateral cervical lymph node dissection were performed. Histology demonstrated benign multinodularity in the right hemithyroid, with bilateral reactive lymphadenopathy and 24 benign hyperplastic thyroid nodules in the left lateral neck that were classified as parasitic thyroid nodules. As there had been a clinical suspicion of thyroid cancer, and the hyperplastic/parasitic thyroid tissue in the neck was extensive, the patient was given ablative radioactive iodine (3.7 GBq). After 2 years, a diagnostic radioactive iodine scan was clear and the serum Tg was undetectable. The patient has now been followed for 7 years with no evidence of recurrence. Archived tissue from a left lateral neck thyroid nodule has recently been analysed for BRAF V600E mutation, which was negative.

Secondary parathyromatosis in a patient with normal kidney function: review of diagnostic modalities and approaches to management

OBJECTIVE

To present a patient with secondary parathyromatosis, a rare complication of parathyroidectomy, and to discuss issues currently pertinent to its diagnosis and management.

METHODS

Data were derived from clinical and pathologic observations obtained during patient care.

RESULTS

The index patient developed intractable hyperparathyroidism and hypercalcemia that has persisted after 4 surgical procedures and has remained largely resistant to medication, albeit with partial amelioration with combined bisphosphonate and cinacalcet.

CONCLUSION

Despite the rarity of this difficult complication of parathyroidectomy, its iatrogenic basis emphasizes a need for heightened awareness and caution among surgeons and endocrinologists. Herein we report an instance of intractable secondary parathyromatosis in a patient with normal kidney function, and we review current approaches to diagnosis and management.