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

Advantages of total parathyroidectomy in patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism induced by end stage renal disease

Introduction

Secondary hyperparathyroidism, as a result of chronic kidney disease could be treated medically or surgically. When pharmacotherapy fails, patients undergo surgery - parathyroidectomy, the curative treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT). There are currently 3 accepted surgical techniques, each with supporters or opponents - total parathyroidectomy, subtotal parathyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy with immediate autotransplantation.

Methods

In this paper we described our experience on a series of 160 consecutive patients diagnosed with secondary hyperparathyroidism who underwent surgery, in 27 cases it was totalization of the intervention (patients with previously performed subtotal parathyroidectomy or with supernumerary glands and SHPT recurrence). We routinely perform total parathyroidectomy, the method that we believe offers the best results.

Results

The group of patients was studied according to demographic criteria, paraclinical balance, clinical symptomatology, pre- and postoperative iPTH (intact parathormone) values, SHPT recurrence, number of reinterventions. In 31 cases we found gland ectopy and in 15 cases we discovered supernumerary parathyroids. A percentage of 96.24% of patients with total parathyroidectomy did not show recurrence.

Discussions

After analyzing the obtained results, our conclusion was that total parathyroidectomy is the intervention of choice for patients suffering from secondary hyperparathyroidism when pharmacotherapy fails in order to prevent recurrence of the disease and to correct the metabolic parameters.

Recurrence hyperparathyroidism caused by synchronous parathyroid carcinoma and parathyromatosis in a patient with long-term hemodialysis

BACKGROUND

Parathyroid carcinoma and parathyromatosis are very rare diseases in patients on hemodialysis. Its pathogenesis, clinical features, preoperative diagnosis, and surgery are challenging. We describe a rare case of recurrent hyperparathyroidism due to synchronous parathyroid carcinoma and parathyromatosis.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 46-year-old Chinese woman was diagnosed with end-stage renal disease and received regular hemodialysis. Four years later, she experienced discomfort due to itching and was diagnosed with drug-resistant secondary hyperparathyroidism. Parathyroidectomy was performed, and her parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels were reduced. The pathology also revealed that the four nodules were parathyroid nodular hyperplasia without evidence of malignancy. Five years after surgery, the right subcutaneous nodule and left inferior nodule were detected by multiple imaging modalities, and the nodules were accompanied by recurrence itching and elevation of PHT. A complete resection of two nodules was performed, and the patient was diagnosed with parathyroid carcinoma and parathyromatosis. At 8 months postsurgery, her PHT and serum calcium levels were stable, and there were no signs of recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

This is a rare case of synchronous parathyroid carcinoma and parathyromatosis in a patient with secondary hyperparathyroidism after parathyroidectomy. We suggest meticulous handling of parathyroid hyperplasia to avoid rupture and spillage during surgery, and precise pro-operation location by multiple imaging modalities is crucial for successful parathyroidectomy.