Re-operation for hyperparathyroidism

How and when is multiglandular disease diagnosed in sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism?

BACKGROUND

In total, ∼15% of patients with sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism have multiglandular disease, which may be suspected preoperatively but can only be confirmed intra or postoperatively. The study aim is to determine how and when patients are diagnosed with multiglandular disease and to what extent different modalities contribute.

METHODS

Consecutive cases of sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism (2013-2019) undergoing initial exploration were reviewed from a single-institution prospective database. Preoperative single-photon emission tomography/computed tomography and neck ultrasound were routinely performed to help direct either bilateral or unilateral exploration guided by intraoperative parathyroid hormone monitoring using the dual criteria. Multiglandular disease was defined as either resection of >1 enlarged parathyroid or hypercalcemia at ≥6 months after single gland resection.

RESULTS

Of 1,890 patients with sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism, multiglandular disease was identified in 254 (13.4%); 244 (96.1%) were diagnosed intraoperatively and 10 (3.9%) postoperatively. In these multiglandular disease patients, single gland disease was suggested on single-photon emission tomography/computed tomography in 54.0%, ultrasound in 49.2%, and both were concordant for single gland disease in 29.4%. Intraoperative multiglandular disease diagnosis was prompted by an inadequate intraoperative parathyroid hormone monitoring drop in 38.5%, by surgeon interpretation of imaging in 38.1%, by observing ipsilateral gland enlargement in 11.0%, by finding an initial gland <200 mg in 10.3%, and 2.0% had unexpected multiglandular disease during thyroidectomy. Multiglandular disease was diagnosed by postoperative hypercalcemia in 10 of 254 patients (4.9%).

CONCLUSION

To avoid failure at parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism, expert surgeons use multiple approaches to diagnose and manage multiglandular disease. Preoperative localization studies alone are insufficient, missing multiglandular disease in at least 30% of cases. All examined adjuncts are informative, including intraoperative parathyroid hormone monitoring, imaging, and intraoperative visual cues.

Reoperations for persistent or recurrent primary hyperparathyroidism: results of a retrospective cohort study at a tertiary referral center

BACKGROUND

Parathyroid reoperations are challenging and achieving a cure requires multidisciplinary treatment team cooperation. The aims of this study were to summarize our experience in revision surgery for persistent (pHPT) or recurrent primary hyperparathyroidism (rHPT) and to explore factors underlying failure to cure at initial surgery.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent reoperations for pHPT or rHPT at a tertiary referral center. The database of parathyroid surgery was searched for eligible patients (treated in the years 2000-2012). The primary outcome was the cure rate. All the patients were followed-up for at least 12 months postoperatively. Factors underlying failure to cure at initial surgery were reviewed based on hospital records.

RESULTS

The study group comprised 88 patients (69 women, 19 men) operated on for persistent (n=57) or recurrent disease (n=31), who underwent 98 reoperations, including 26 (2.4%) patients first operated on at our institution, and 72 (81.8%) patients operated on elsewhere, but referred for revision surgery. A long-term cure was achieved in 83/88 patients (94.3%). The mean post-reoperation follow-up was 91.7 (12-176) months. Missed hyperfunctioning parathyroid gland was found on reoperation in eutopic position in 49 (55.5%) patients, and in ectopic position in 39 (44.3%) patients, including 20 (22.7%) cases of cervical ectopy and 19 (21.6%) cases of mediastinal ectopy.

CONCLUSIONS

Multidisciplinary treatment team cooperation at a tertiary referral center, consisting of an accurate preoperative localization, expertise in parathyroid re-explorations, and correct use of intraoperative adjuncts, contribute to the high success rate of parathyroid reoperations.

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.

Imaging of parathyroid glands

Preoperative imaging studies have an important role in facilitating successful localization of adenomas for surgeons. Their use has increased and parallels the recent growth of minimally invasive parathyroidectomy. Based on findings that scintigraphy is reported to have the highest accuracy for localization of adenomas when compared with anatomic imaging techniques, this article discusses the current role and limitations of imaging, with a focus on scintigraphy, in the evaluation of patients before surgery for hyperparathyroidism.

Recurrent or residual hyperparathyroidism and thyroid cancer effectively evaluated with scintigraphy

Re-exploration of the neck for residual or recurrent hyperparathyroidism or thyroid cancer is technically challenging and preoperative imaging is very useful for guiding surgery. For both pathologies, nuclear medicine techniques have emerged as the primary preoperative imaging modalities. The precise techniques used continue to evolve as new equipment and technology (fusion imaging) become available. The role of.

High success rate of parathyroid reoperation may be achieved with improved localization diagnosis

INTRODUCTION

Because of the difficulty of reoperative parathyroid surgery, preoperative imaging studies have been increasingly adopted. We report the use of consistently applied localization diagnosis to yield high success rates in parathyroid reoperations.

METHODS

Parathyroid reoperation was performed after previous parathyroid surgery in 144 patients with nonmalignant hyperparathyroidism (HPT) between 1962 and 2007. From the year 2000, 46 patients who underwent parathyroid reoperation and 14 patients who were subjected to thyroid surgery before primary parathyroid operation were investigated with sestamibi scintigraphy (MIBI), 11C-methionine PET/CT (met-PET), surgeon-performed ultrasound (US), US-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy (US-FNA), and selective venous sampling (SVS) with rapid PTH (Q-PTH) analyses. When imaging was considered adequate, additional studies were generally not obtained.

RESULTS

Reversal of hypercalcemia was achieved by reoperation in 134 of 144 (93%) of all patients with previous parathyroid surgery. In patients operated from year 2000, MIBI had 90% sensitivity and 88% predictive value, met-PET 79% sensitivity and 87% predictive value, and US 72% sensitivity and 93% predictive value. SVS with Q-PTH analyses provided accurate localization or regionalization in 11 of 11 recently selected patients. Q-PTH analyses in fine-needle aspirations verified parathyroid origin of excised specimens, and intraoperative Q-PTH helped decide when operations could be terminated. In patients subjected to the algorithm of imaging procedures, reversal of hypercalcemia and apparent cure was obtained after the reoperation in 45 of 46 patients with previous parathyroid surgery, implying a success rate of 98%, and in all patients with previous thyroid surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Reoperative parathyroid surgery is challenging. Results can be improved by consistently applied sensitive methods of preoperative imaging, and reoperative procedures may then achieve nearly the same success rates as primary operations.

Virtual neck exploration in patients with hyperparathyroidism and former cervical operations

BACKGROUND

In surgery for primary hyperparathyroidism, preoperative localization together with intraoperative parathyroid hormone assay is important when minimal invasive operations of the parathyroid glands are intended. In cases of reoperation, correct localization of the abnormal parathyroid glands is extremely instrumental. Computed tomography (CT)-(99m)Tc-sestamibi (MIBI)-single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) image fusion allows for a virtual exploration of the neck by showing the suspected gland three-dimensionally with all the anatomic landmarks in correct position. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether CT-MIBI-SPECT image fusion is superior to MIBI-SPECT alone in detecting abnormal parathyroid glands in patients with previous neck surgery.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In a prospective study, CT-MIBI-SPECT image fusion for preoperative localization was performed in 28 patients with hyperparathyroidism and previous neck surgery. Twenty-one patients had thyroidectomy and seven patients had surgery for hyperparathyroidism. The results of MIBI-SPECT alone and CT-MIBI-SPECT image fusion were compared in these patients. The outcome and the exact predicted position, not just the predicted side, were correlated with intraoperative findings.

RESULTS

CT-MIBI-SPECT image fusion was able to predict the exact position of the abnormal gland in 24 of 28 patients (86%), whereas MIBI-SPECT alone was successful in 12 of 28 cases (43%, p < 0.004) only. CT-MIBI-SPECT image fusion detected all three pathologic glands in their ectopic position. With MIBI-SPECT alone, just one ectopic pathologic gland was found.

CONCLUSION

This study provides evidence that CT-MIBI-SPECT image fusion is superior to MIBI-SPECT alone in preoperative localization of enlarged parathyroid glands in patients with hyperparathyroidism and previous neck surgery. This should be kept in mind if the results are compared to earlier studies concerning CT-MIBI-SPECT image fusion.

Contemporary parathyroidectomy: exploiting technology

BACKGROUND

Conventional parathyroidectomy, as practiced only 10 years ago, has given way to considerable change, largely as a result of the evolution of technology. Several of these important technologies include radio-guided surgery, ultrasound imaging, high-resolution endoscopy, and rapid intraoperative parathyroid hormone (IOPTH) monitoring. Modern parathyroid surgeons should maintain familiarity with the appropriate role of these approaches.

STUDY DESIGN

Evidence-based analysis of state-of-the-art approaches to the diagnosis and management of primary hyperparathyroidism.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Four distinct technologies are analyzed in detail, with particular attention to their impact on the practice of parathyroid surgery. These include radio-guided surgery, ultrasound imaging, high-resolution endoscopy, and IOPTH.

RESULTS

Each of the technologies examined has substantial value in the current practice of parathyroidectomy. Judicious implementation of these technologies will vary from practice to practice. Radio-guided surgery may obviate the need for IOPTH monitoring, therefore resulting in the fastest procedural times. Ultrasound imaging is useful as an adjunct to sestamibi scanning to localize adenomatous parathyroid glands. Endoscopic techniques facilitate visualization through small openings and may help surgeons achieve minimal access incisions. Finally, the use of IOPTH is a useful adjunct to directed explorations, and it imparts confidence that all hyperfunctioning parathyroid tissue has been removed.

CONCLUSIONS

The practice of parathyroid surgery has undergone tremendous change in the past decade, and this change has largely been a technology-driven phenomenon. Acquisition of familiarity and skill with these new technologies will be necessary for the endocrine head and neck surgeon wishing to stay abreast of modern surgical techniques and provide quality care.

REOPERATIVE PARATHYROID SURGERY: THE IMPORTANCE OF ECTOPIC LOCATION AND MULTIGLAND DISEASE

BACKGROUND

Despite the availability of expert surgeons and preoperative imaging investigations, some patients require reoperation for persistent or recurrent hyperparathyroidisms.

METHOD

Fifty consecutive patients were reviewed.

RESULTS

There were 28 persistent cases (24 primary, 4 secondary) and 22 recurrent cases (15 primary, 7 secondary) and 98% had successful surgical treatment. Multigland disease was present in 24 of 39 (62%) of primary cases, 11 of 24 persistent and 13 of 15 recurrent (P < 0.02). Four patients in the recurrent primary group had multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1, whereas the other 20 primary patients had sporadic multigland disease. Multigland disease was present in all secondary cases and was a very important factor in this entire series of patients (70%). Regrowth of a remnant of a gland biopsied or partially resected at an earlier operation was the cause of recurrence in 12 of 15 primary and 2 of 7 secondary cases (P < 0.05). The site of missed glands in persistent disease was ectopic in 60%. Ectopic glands were found in the following sites: intrathyroidal 10 (8 inferior and 2 superior), intrathymic 9, posterior mediastinum 4, base of skull 2, carotid sheath 1 and supernumerary 5. Investigations to locate missing glands were positive in 28 of 43 sestamibi scans (65%), 14 of 34 ultrasound scans (41%), 10 of 24 computed tomography scans (42%) and 11 of 13 selective venous sampling tests (85%).

CONCLUSION

Some persistent cases are unavoidable because of ectopic locations and some recurrences are inevitable because of multigland disease.

Preoperative selective venous sampling for nonlocalizing parathyroid adenomas

INTRODUCTION

Preoperative parathyroid adenoma localization allows for a minimally invasive surgical approach. Current methods used for adenoma localization include ultrasound, sestamibi scan, and occasionally magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In cases in which an adenoma is not localized after a radiologic work-up, the surgeon must perform a four-gland exploration. Preoperative selective venous sampling (SVS) has been described as a safe and clinically effective method to localize a parathyroid adenoma after failed exploration. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of SVS as a primary localization technique in cases where conventional localization techniques have failed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fourteen patients with nonlocalizing parathyroid adenomas after ultrasonography, sestamibi scanning, and MRI were retrospectively reviewed. Eight patients underwent SVS prior to surgery and six patients underwent a four-gland neck exploration without preoperative SVS. The two groups were assessed for accuracy of the SVS in localizing the adenoma, operative time, length of hospitalization, and complications.

RESULTS

All of the patients in the study underwent successful uncomplicated surgical parathyroidectomy. The SVS proved accurate in preoperatively localizing the adenoma in 7 of 8 patients and allowed for a minimally invasive approach in 87% of patients. The mean operative time was 33 minutes for the SVS group and 67 minutes in the non-SVS group. None of the patients in either group experienced procedural complications.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that preoperative SVS may represent a safe and effective method of preoperatively localizing the nonlocalized parathyroid adenoma. In cases where conventional radiologic techniques fail to localize an adenoma, SVS may obviate the need for a four-gland exploration.