Long-term outcome of patients with intraoperative parathyroid level remaining above the normal range during parathyroidectomy

A >50% Intraoperative Parathyroid Hormone Level Decrease Into Normal Reference Range Predicts Complete Excision of Malignancy in Patients With Parathyroid Carcinoma

INTRODUCTION

The mainstay of successful treatment for parathyroid carcinoma remains complete surgical excision. Although intraoperative parathyroid hormone (ioPTH) monitoring is a useful adjunct during parathyroidectomy for benign primary hyperparathyroidism, its utility for parathyroid carcinoma remains unclear.

METHODS

A retrospective review of 796 patients who underwent parathyroidectomy with ioPTH monitoring for primary hyperparathyroidism revealed 13 patients with parathyroid carcinoma on final pathology from two academic institutions. A systematic review yielded 5 additional parathyroid carcinoma patients. Complete excision of malignancy, or operative success (eucalcemia ≥6 mo. after parathyroidectomy); operative failure (persistent hypercalcemia <6 mo. after parathyroidectomy); and perioperative complications were evaluated. Comparison of the >50% ioPTH decrease alone to >50% ioPTH decrease into normal reference range was analyzed using Chi-squared, Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Kruskal-Wallis tests.

RESULTS

All 18 parathyroid carcinoma patients achieved a >50% ioPTH decrease, and 14 patients also had a final ioPTH level decrease into normal reference range. 93% of patients who met normal parathyroid hormone reference range had operative success, whereas only two of the four (50%) patients with parathyroid carcinoma with a >50% ioPTH decrease alone demonstrated operative success.

CONCLUSIONS

Parathyroidectomy guided by a >50% ioPTH decrease into normal reference range may better predict complete excision of malignant tissue in patients with parathyroid carcinoma compared to >50% ioPTH decrease alone. IoPTH monitoring should be used in conjunction with clinical judgment and complete en bloc resection for optimal treatment and success.

Is intraoperative parathyroid monitoring during minimally invasive parathyroidectomy still justified?

Introduction

Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is the third most common endocrine disease. With parathyroidectomy, a cure rate of over 95% at initial surgery is reported. Localization of the abnormal parathyroid gland is critical for the operation to be successful. The aim of this study is to analyze data of patients with single gland disease (SGD) and positive concordant localization imaging undergoing minimally invasive parathyroidectomy (MIP) and intraoperative parathyroid hormone monitoring (IOPTH) to evaluate if IOPTH is still justified in patients with localized SGD.

Methods

A retrospective database analysis of all minimally invasive operations with IOPTH for PHPT and positive concordant localization in ultrasound (US) and 99mTc-sestamibi scintigraphy (MIBI) between 2016-2021. When both US and MIBI were negative, patients underwent either choline or methionine PET-CT. The patients were also analyzed a second time without applying IOPTH.

Results

In total, 198 patients were included in the study. The sensitivity of US, MIBI and PET-CT was 96%, 94% and 100%, respectively. Positive predictive value was 88%, 89% and 94% with US, MIBI and PET-CT, respectively. IOPTH was true positive in 185 (93.4%) patients. In 13 (6.6%) patients, no adequate IOPTH decline was observed after localizing and extirpating the assumed enlarged parathyroid gland. Without IOPTH, the cure rate decreased from 195 (98.5%) to 182 (92%) patients and the rate of persisting disease increased from 2 (1.0%) to 15 (7.5%) patients.

Conclusion

Discontinuing IOPTH significantly increases the persistence rate by a factor of 7.5 in patients with concordantly localized adenoma. Therefore, IOPTH appears to remain necessary even for this group of patients.

Extreme Elevation of Baseline Intraoperative Parathyroid Hormone Measurements: Should Usual Protocols Apply?

INTRODUCTION

Intraoperative parathyroid hormone (IOPTH) monitoring is routinely used to facilitate minimally invasive parathyroidectomy. Many IOPTH protocols exist for predicting biochemical cure. Some patients are found to have extremely high baseline IOPTH levels (defined in this study as >500 pg/mL), which may affect the likelihood of satisfying certain final IOPTH criteria. We aimed to discover whether clinically significant differences exist in patients with extremely high baseline IOPTH and which IOPTH protocols are most appropriately applied to these patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a retrospective review of 237 patients who underwent parathyroidectomy with IOPTH monitoring for primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) from 2016 to 2020. Baseline IOPTH levels, drawn prior to manipulation of parathyroid glands, were grouped into categories labeled "elevated" (>65-500 pg/mL) and "extremely elevated" (>500 pg/mL). Final IOPTH levels were analyzed to determine whether there was a >50% decrease from baseline and whether a normal IOPTH value was achieved. 6-wk postoperative calcium levels were also examined.

RESULTS

Of the patients in this cohort, 76% were in the elevated group and 24% in the extremely elevated group. Male sex and higher preoperative PTH levels were correlated with higher baseline IOPTH levels. Patients with extremely elevated baseline IOPTH were less likely to have IOPTH fall into normal range at the conclusion of the case (P = 0.019), and final IOPTH levels were higher (P < 0.001), but the IOPTH was equally likely to decrease >50% from baseline. There was no difference in the mean postoperative calcium levels between the two groups at 6-wk or at longer term follow-up (mean 525 d).

CONCLUSIONS

Detection of baseline IOPTH levels >500 pg/mL during parathyroidectomy performed for pHPT is not uncommon. IOPTH in patients with extremely elevated baseline levels were less likely to fall into normal range, but follow-up calcium levels were equal, suggesting that applying more stringent IOPTH criteria for predicting biochemical cure may not be appropriate for this population.

The value of intraoperative parathyroid hormone monitoring in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism and varying baseline parathyroid hormone levels

BACKGROUND

When applying intraoperative parathyroid hormone monitoring (IOPTH) to patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT), there are established criteria predicting biochemical cure in patients with basal parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels in the medium range (100-400 pg/ml); however, there is a challenge concerning patients with low (less than 100 pg/ml) or high (more than 400 pg/ml) basal PTH levels. The aim of this study was to investigate the value of the 'Vienna criterion' applied during IOPTH in patients with PHPT and various basal PTH concentrations.

METHODS

Consecutive patients between 1999-2009 with a biochemical diagnosis of PHPT who underwent surgical parathyroidectomy were included. Based on preoperative PTH levels they were divided into three groups: group 1 (low) (<100 pg/ml), group 2 (medium) (100-400 pg/ml) and group 3 (high) (>400 pg/ml) basal PTH. PTH was measured at the start of the operation, when the gland was excised and then at 5, 10 and 15 min after. Calcium and PTH levels were measured at 7 days and 12 months postoperatively. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value, as well as accuracy of IOPTH were calculated for the different groups postoperatively.

RESULTS

675 patients with PHPT were analysed. Sensitivity and specificity were 83.7 per cent and 66.7 per cent in group 1 (n = 187), 90.7 per cent and 69.2 per cent in group 2 (n = 433), and 94.4 per cent and 100 per cent in group 3 (n = 55) to predict cure. Preoperative creatinine (p = 0.002) showed significant statistical difference between the groups but was not related to intraoperative PTH decline. At 12 months follow-up normocalcaemia was documented in 98.9 per cent in group 1, 99.0 per cent group 2, and 98.0 per cent of group 3 patients.

CONCLUSION

Normocalcaemia was predicted intraoperatively by applying the 'Vienna criterion' in 98 to 100 per cent and was confirmed after 12 months follow-up in up to 99.0 per cent of patients. Low specificity and a high false-negative rate in patients with low basal PTH show that other criteria might be better suited for this group.

Intraoperative parathyroid hormone measurement during parathyroidectomy for treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism: When should you end the operation?

INTRODUCTION

The study objective was to evaluate the intraoperative 50% decrease in PTH level ± PTH normalization for its accuracy and efficiency in predicting cure during parathyroidectomy (PTx) for the treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHP).

METHODS

A retrospective review of patients undergoing PTx was conducted. The timepoints at which the 50% PTH decrease was reached were recorded. The accuracy of intraoperative PTH for predicting cure, defined as normocalcemia at 6 months postoperatively, was evaluated.

RESULTS

The study population was made up of 248 PHP patients, with 247 patients achieving normocalcemia at 6 months postoperatively. If a 50% PTH decrease was used to indicate operation conclusion, 1 patient would not be cured. Persistent PTH elevation above normal range at T10 had a PPV of 77%, NPV of 99.5%, sensitivity of 95.2% and specificity of 97.3% for predicting the presence of a contralateral pathological parathyroid gland. For the study cohort, 24.5 h of cumulative operating time would be saved if the 50% PTH decrease triggered operation conclusion.

DISCUSSION

A decrease in the pre-excision PTH level to 50% of the baseline level, or a decrease in the higher of the baseline or pre-excision PTH levels by 50% at 5 or 10 min post pathological parathyroid gland removal, regardless of whether the PTH level normalizes, reliably predicts cure from PHP and should be used to guide the surgeon during parathyroidectomy.

Intraoperative Parathyroid Hormone Monitoring in the Surgical Management of Sporadic Primary Hyperparathyroidism

Intraoperative parathyroid hormone monitoring (IPM) has been shown to be a useful adjunct during parathyroidectomy to ensure operative success at many specialized medical centers worldwide. Using the Miami or ">50% intraoperative PTH drop" criterion, IPM confirms the complete excision of all hyperfunctioning parathyroid tissue before the operation is finished, and helps guide the surgeon to identify additional hyperfunctioning parathyroid glands that may necessitate further extensive neck exploration when intraoperative parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels do not drop sufficiently. The intraoperative PTH assay is also used to differentiate parathyroid from non-parathyroid tissues during operations using fine needle aspiration samples and to lateralize the side of the neck harboring the hypersecreting parathyroid through differential jugular venous sampling when preoperative localization studies are negative or equivocal. The use of IPM underscores the recognition and understanding of sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism (SPHPT) as a disease of function rather than form, where the surgeon is better equipped to treat such patients with quantitative instead of qualitative information for durable long-term operative success. There has been a significant paradigm shift over the last 2 decades from conventional to focused parathyroidectomy guided by IPM. This approach has proven to be a safe and rapid operation requiring minimal dissection performed in an ambulatory setting for the treatment of SPHPT.

Intraoperative parathyroid hormone levels ≤40 pg/mL are associated with the lowest persistence rates after parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism

BACKGROUND

Intraoperative parathyroid hormone (IOPTH) monitoring is used to predict biochemical cure during parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism; however, there is variability in the intraoperative parathyroid hormone criteria used by surgeons to predict normocalcemia after parathyroidectomy. This study sought to determine the intraoperative parathyroid hormone criteria correlated with the lowest rates of persistent hyperparathyroidism after parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a retrospective cohort study of 2,654 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism who underwent parathyroidectomy with intraoperative parathyroid hormone monitoring at a single institution from 1999 to 2014. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to measure the association between the lowest intraoperative parathyroid hormone level and the persistence of primary hyperparathyroidism after parathyroidectomy.

RESULTS

A total of 66 patients (2.5%) had persistent hyperparathyroidism after parathyroidectomy. Using the traditional intraoperative parathyroid hormone criteria of a ≥50% decrease from the baseline level, the rate of persistent primary hyperparathyroidism was greater when intraoperative parathyroid hormone did not decrease to ≥50% from the baseline level (17 of 180 patients [9.4%] vs 49 of 2,474 [2.0%], [OR 5.9, 95% CI 3.2-10.5, P < .001]). Regardless of whether intraoperative parathyroid hormone decreased ≥50%, patients with a lowest intraoperative parathyroid hormone above the normal range (10-65 pg/mL) had greater persistence rates compared with patients with an intraoperative parathyroid hormone <65 pg/mL (30 of 350 [8.6%] vs 36 of 2,304 [1.6%], [OR 6.6, 95% CI 3.4-12.7, P < .001]). Furthermore, patients with a lowest intraoperative parathyroid hormone 40 to 65 pg/mL had increased rates of adjusted persistence compared with patients with lowest intraoperative parathyroid hormone ≤40 pg/mL (13 of 385 [3.4%] vs 23 of 1,919 [1.2%], [OR 4.2, 95% CI 2.0-8.7, P < .001]). Patients with lowest intraoperative parathyroid hormone <5 to 20 pg/mL did not have decreased rates of persistence compared with patients with lowest intraoperative parathyroid hormone 20 to 40 pg/mL (9 of 996 [0.9%] vs 14 of 923 [1.5%], [OR 0.5, 95% CI 0.2-1.2, P = .14]).

CONCLUSION

Patients with a lowest intraoperative parathyroid hormone ≤40 pg/mL compared with the traditional criteria of a ≥50% decrease from baseline and a final parathyroid hormone in the normal range (<65 pg/mL) had the lowest rates of persistent primary hyperparathyroidism after parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism. The single criteria of a lowest intraoperative parathyroid hormone level ≤40 pg/mL may best predict the lowest persistent disease rates after parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism.

Review of intraoperative parathormone monitoring with the miami criterion: A 25-year experience

With the development of imaging and localization studies, focused parathyroidectomy with use of intraoperative parathormone monitoring (IPM) is the mainstay of treatment for primary hyperparathyroidism at many health care centers both nationally and internationally. Focused parathyroidectomy guided by IPM allows for surgical excision of the offending parathyroid gland through smaller incisions. The Miami criterion is a protocol that uses a “> 50% parathormone (PTH) drop” from either the greatest pre-incision or pre-excision measurement of PTH in a blood sample taken 10 min following resection of hyperfunctioning glands. Following removal of the hyperfunctioning parathyroid gland, a > 50% PTH drop at 10 min indicates completion of parathyroidectomy, and predicts operative success at 6 mo. IPM using the Miami criterion has demonstrated equal curative rates of > 97%, which is comparable to the traditional bilateral neck exploration. The focused approach, however, is associated with shorter recovery times, improved cosmesis, and lower risk of postoperative hypocalcemia.

The final intraoperative parathyroid hormone level: how low should it go?

BACKGROUND

In minimally invasive surgery for primary hyperparathyroidism (HPT), intraoperative parathyroid hormone (IOPTH) monitoring assists in obtaining demonstrably better outcomes, but optimal criteria are controversial.

METHODS

The outcomes of 1,108 initial parathyroid operations for sporadic HPT using IOPTH monitoring from 1997 to 2011 were stratified by final post-resection IOPTH level. All patients had adequate follow-up to verify cure.

RESULTS

With mean follow-up of 1.8 years (range 0.5-14.3 years), parathyroidectomy using IOPTH monitoring failed in 1.2 % of cases, with an additional 0.5 % incidence of long-term recurrence at a mean of 3.2 years (range 0.8-6.8 years) postoperatively. Operative success was equally likely with a final IOPTH drop to 41-65 pg/mL vs ≤40 pg/mL (p = 1). In the 76 patients with an elevated baseline IOPTH level that did not drop to ≤65 pg/mL, surgical failure was 43 times more likely than with a drop into normal range (13 vs. 0.3 %; p < 0.001). When the final IOPTH level dropped by >50 % but not into the normal range, surgical failure was 19 times more likely (3.8 vs. 0.2 %; p = 0.015). Long-term recurrence was more likely in patients with a final IOPTH level of 41-65 pg/mL than with a level ≤40 pg/mL (1.2 vs. 0; p = 0.016).

CONCLUSIONS

Adjunctive intraoperative PTH monitoring facilitates a high cure rate for initial surgery of sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism. A final IOPTH level that is within the normal range and drops by >50 % from baseline is a strong predictor of operative success. Patients with a final IOPTH level between 41-65 pg/mL should be followed beyond 6 months for long-term recurrence.

Justified follow-up: a final intraoperative parathyroid hormone (ioPTH) Over 40 pg/mL is associated with an increased risk of persistence and recurrence in primary hyperparathyroidism

INTRODUCTION

After parathyroidectomy for sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT), overall rates of persistence/recurrence are extremely low. A marker of increased risk for persistence/recurrence is needed. We hypothesized that final intraoperative parathyroid hormone (FioPTH) ≥40 pg/mL is indicative of increased risk for disease persistence/recurrence, and can be used to selectively determine the degree of follow-up.

METHOD

A retrospective review of PHPT patients undergoing parathyroidectomy with ioPTH monitoring was performed. An ioPTH decline of 50 % was the only criteria for operation termination. Patients were grouped based on FioPTH of <40, 40-59, and >60 pg/mL.

RESULTS

Between 2001 and 2012, 1,371 patients were included. Mean age was 61 ± 0.4 years, and 78°% were female. Overall persistence rate was 1.4°%, with a 2.9°% recurrence rate. Overall, 976 (71°%) patients had FioPTH < 40, 228 (16.6°%) had FioPTH 40-59, and 167 (12.2°%) had FioPTH ≥60. Mean follow-up was 21 ± 0.6 months. Patients with FioPTH <40 were younger, with lower preoperative serum calcium, PTH, and creatinine (all p ≤ 0.001). Patients with FioPTH <40 had the lowest persistence rate (0.2 %) versus patients with FioPTH 40-59 (3.5 %) or FioPTH ≥60 (5.4 %; p < 0.001). Recurrence rate was also lowest in patients with FioPTH <40 (1.3 vs. 5.9 vs. 8.2 %, respectively; p < 0.001). Disease-free status was greatest in patients with FioPTH <40 at 2 years (98.5 vs. 96.8 vs. 90.5 %, respectively) and 5 years (95.7 vs. 72.3 vs. 74.8 %, respectively; p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with FioPTH < 40 pg/mL had lower rates of persistence and recurrence, than patients with FioPTH 40-59, or ≥60. Differences became more apparent after 2 years of follow-up. Patients with FioPTH ≥40 pg/mL warrant close and prolonged follow-up.

Parathyroidectomies Using Intraoperative Parathormone Monitoring: When Should We Stop Measuring Intraoperative Parathormone Levels?

Intraoperative parathyroid hormone monitoring (IOPM), in use for the last 15 years, has facilitated focused parathyroidectomy. We undertook this study to determine if a drop in IOPT hormone levels below 50 per cent of baseline were sufficient to terminate the procedure. We conducted a retrospective chart review (January 2007 to September 2010) of 104 patients who underwent initial parathyroidectomies with IOPM by general surgeons for primary hyperparathyroidism. Patients were followed up for serum calcium levels (range, 6 to 48 months). The number of specimens excised was significantly decreased when IOPT hormone levels dropped to greater than 50 per cent and came within the normal range earlier. Moreover, for single-gland parathyroid adenomas, once the parathyroid hormone values dropped to less than 50 per cent in the 5-minute sample, they continued to decrease in the subsequent samples. In 23 cases requiring further exploration, the parathyroid hormone values had already decreased to greater than 50 per cent in 14 cases but had not normalized (reference range, 8 to 74), leading to additional exploration. However, subsequent pathologic analysis showed that the initial gland removed was the adenoma in all these cases. A drop in the initial 5-minute parathyroid hormone value to less than 50 per cent of the baseline should serve as sufficient evidence to terminate the procedure. This would translate into significant laboratory and personnel cost savings over time. However, this should be carefully correlated with preoperative ultrasound/sestamibi findings.

Does the final intraoperative PTH level really have to fall into the normal range to signify cure?

BACKGROUND

Intraoperative parathyroid hormone (IOPTH) helps shorten the duration of surgery and increase the likelihood of surgical cure. Although general consensus agrees that the IOPTH should fall by 50%, there is much debate as to whether the IOPTH needs to fall into the normal range.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed a prospective database of patients undergoing surgery for treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism. We included all patients with an IOPTH that fell by >50% by 10 or 15 min, but that did not fall into the normal range (parathyroid hormone remained ≥ 60 pg/ml). We excluded patients who had undergone prior neck surgery or had known multiple endocrine neoplasia 1 or 2.

RESULTS

A total of 1,231 patients underwent a parathyroidectomy, 155 of whom met the study's inclusion/exclusion criteria (12.6%). A total of 117 patients had an IOPTH fall by 50% by 10 min, and 38 patients' IOPTH fell by 50% by 15 min. Overall surgical cure rate was 98.7%. One patient from the 10-minute group and one patient from the 15-minute group had persistent disease on follow-up. One patient in the 15-minute group had recurrent disease. With a mean ± SEM 18.1 ± 2.1 months' follow-up, the recurrence rate in this cohort was 0.6%. The average calcium at last follow-up was 9.4 ± 0.0 mg/dl.

CONCLUSIONS

Allowing the IOPTH to fall by 50% by 15 min, regardless of whether the IOPTH falls into the normal range, results in a high success rate when performed by experienced surgeons. This helps reduce intraoperative time used waiting for additional parathyroid hormone levels and the risks associated with unnecessary bilateral neck exploration.

Surgical treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism

OBJECTIVE

To review the surgical treatment options for primary hyperparathyroidism with a focus on recent refinements in minimally invasive techniques and endoscopic and video- or robot-assisted parathyroidectomy.

METHODS

We review the relevant surgical treatment options for primary hyperparathyroidism.

RESULTS

Parathyroidectomy is the standard therapy for patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. Advancements in imaging, including technetium Tc 99m-sestamibi single-photon emission computed tomography and ultrasonography, have improved preoperative localization, while intraoperative parathyroid hormone measurement provides a rapid test to confirm operative success. These adjuncts have enabled surgeons to perform an operation that is both safe and minimally invasive.

CONCLUSIONS

The minimally invasive approach to parathyroidectomy provides comparable cure rates to conventional bilateral neck exploration with reduced operative time and improved cosmetic results. The durability, safety, and success of these procedures make them valuable options in the current and future care of patients with primary hyperparathyroidism.

[Relationship between parathormone concentration during surgery and the post-operative outcome of primary hyperparathyroidism]

INTRODUCTION

The relationship between the intra-operative concentration of parathyroid hormone (IOPTH) and the long-term outcome of patients intervened due to primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A prospective observational study was performed with 120 patients. Three determinations were made of PTH in blood: baseline, when the diseases gland was located, and 10 minutes after its extirpation. The calcium, PTH and vitamin D (25-OH-D3) levels were measured during follow up.

RESULTS

A decrease in IOPTH > 50% was observed in 96 (80%) patients, and the post-extirpation value returned to the normal range (Group I), in 18 (15%) a decrease of > 50% but the final value remained higher than normal (Group II) and in 6 (5%) the decrease was<50% (Group III). Persistent PHPT was detected during follow up in 6 patients (5%): one in Group I (1%), 3 (16.7%) in II and 2 (33.3%) in group III (P<.001). The risk of persistent PHPT was higher in Group II (odds ratio: 19; 95% CI: 1.85-194) and in Group III (odds ratio: 47; 95% CI: 3.53-639). There were no cases of recurrent PHPT. A normal calcium with an increased PTH was detected in 20 patients of Group I (20.8%), 11 (61.1%) in II and 3 (50%) in III (P<.001). These patients had a lower concentration of post-operative vitamin D (17 ng/ml, range: 24; compared to 28 ng/ml, range: 21) (P=.008) and higher frequency of hypovitaminosis D (70.6% compared to 26.2%) (P>.001).

CONCLUSION

The risk of persistent PHPT is higher when the IOPTH decreases more than 50% but still remains high.

Intraoperative adjuncts for parathyroid surgery

In recent years, parathyroid surgery has evolved from traditional bilateral neck exploration to minimal invasive parathyroidectomy. This trend became possible due to preoperative localization imaging that guides the surgeon in the search for a parathyroid adenoma. Intraoperative adjuncts are complementary to preoperative localization and assist in localizing parathyroid glands, confirming parathyroid tissue and establishing a cure. Institutions and surgeons utilize different intraoperative adjuncts in different protocols with varying results. The purpose of this article is to review the available intraoperative adjuncts to parathyroid surgery and critically evaluate their utility, accuracy and their added value to the surgeon.

Effectiveness of "office"-based, ultrasound-guided differential jugular venous sampling (DJVS) of parathormone in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism

BACKGROUND

Pre-operative localization is the first step for focused parathyroidectomy. Surgeon-performed ultrasonography (SUS) is used often as a single method of localization; however, when equivocal, sestamibi (MIBI) scan is still indicated. Intra-operative differential jugular venous sampling (DJVS) is positive in 71-80% of patients. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of office based DJVS as the next method for localization when SUS is equivocal.

METHODS

Twenty-one patients with an equivocal SUS underwent office-based, SUS-guided DJVS. The samples were collected from the most inferior portion of each internal jugular vein and sent for standard parathormone (PTH) measurement. The side of the neck with the highest value of serum PTH was the initial side of exploration. DJVS lateralization was correlated retrospectively with operative findings.

RESULTS

In 17 of 21 (81%) patients, DJVS was correct in indicating the side of the abnormal gland. DJVS was incorrect in 2 and negative in 2 other patients. Bilateral neck explorations were performed in only 6 of 21 patients because of either multiglandular disease (3 patients), concomitant thyroidectomy (2 patients), or surgeon's judgment (1 patient). There were no complications from DJVS, and all patients became eucalcemic.

CONCLUSION

Office based DJVS is accurate and may eliminate the need for MIBI in patients with equivocal SUS. This simple technique can shorten the pre-operative evaluation of sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism.

Surgical management of primary hyperparathyroidism: state of the art

This article reviews the current state of the art regarding therapy for primary hyperparathyroidism. Clinical evaluation and indications for parathyroidectomy are described, followed by a review of surgical techniques currently being practiced and possible outcomes involved. Focused parathyroidectomy has become a successful alternative to conventional bilateral cervical exploration.

Is minimally invasive parathyroidectomy without QPTH monitoring justified?

BACKGROUND

It is matter of discussion if quick parathyroid hormone (QPTH) monitoring is helpful in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) and "localized single-gland disease" (SGD; concordant sestamibi and ultrasound results) to further increase the rate of success (permanent normocalcemia) of performing selective parathyroidectomy by minimally invasive parathyroid exploration (MIP). The aim of this study was to evaluate if a randomized controlled trial was justified in order to clarify this discussion.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The prospective database of patients with sporadic PHPT, SGD, MIP, and QPTH monitoring (1999-2005) was evaluated regarding the "conversion rate" to bilateral exploration and permanent normocalcemia ("QPTH" group). Retrospectively, the patients were analyzed a second time "without" applying QPTH monitoring ("non-QPTH" group). Statistical differences between both groups were calculated (McNemar's test).

RESULTS

By definition, 338 patients with "localized SGD" underwent MIP. MIP was finished in 308 (91.1%) patients. Five of 308 patients (1.6%) showed persisting (n = 1) or recurrent disease (n = 4). In 30 of 338 patients (8.9%), a conversion to bilateral exploration was necessary (false preoperative localization 15 patients--one patient not cured; multiple-gland disease correctly indicated by QPTH monitoring 15 patients--one patient not cured). Analyzing the "non-QPTH" group, 14 additional patients showed persisting disease. Thus, without using QPTH monitoring, the rate of persisting PHPT would increase from 0.9% (three patients) to 5.0% (17 patients; p = 0.0005).

CONCLUSION

Intraoperative QPTH assay seems necessary even in patients with "localized SGD" by two techniques in an endemic goiter region. Abandoning QPTH monitoring would more than double the rate of persisting disease. A randomized trial seems not to be justified.