TY - JOUR
T1 - Location of abnormal parathyroid glands
T2 - lessons from 810 parathyroidectomies
AU - LoPinto, Melissa
AU - Rubio, Gustavo A.
AU - Khan, Zahra F.
AU - Vaghaiwalla, Tanaz M.
AU - Farra, Josefina C.
AU - Lew, John
PY - 2017/1/1
Y1 - 2017/1/1
N2 - Background Primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) is commonly treated with targeted parathyroidectomy (PTX) guided by preoperative imaging and intraoperative parathormone monitoring. Despite advanced imaging techniques, failure of parathyroid localization still occurs. This study determines the anatomical distribution of single abnormal parathyroid glands, which may help direct the surgeon in PTX when preoperative localization is unsuccessful. Methods A retrospective review of prospectively collected data of 810 patients with pHPT who underwent initial PTX at a tertiary medical center was performed. All patients had biochemically confirmed pHPT and single-gland disease. Abnormal parathyroid gland localization was determined at time of operation, correlated with operative and pathology reports, and confirmed by operative success defined as eucalcemia for ≥6 mo after PTX. Patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia, secondary, tertiary, or familial hyperparathyroidism, multiglandular disease, parathyroid cancer, and ectopic glands were excluded. Data were analyzed by chi-square and Z-test analyses. Results Among 810 patients who underwent PTX for pHPT, single abnormal parathyroid glands were unequally distributed among the four eutopic locations (left superior, 15.7%; left inferior, 31.3%; right superior, 15.8%; right inferior, 37.2%; P < 0.01). Abnormal inferior parathyroid glands (68.5%) were significantly more common than abnormal superior glands (31.5%), respectively (P < 0.01). In men, the most common location for single abnormal parathyroid glands was the right inferior position (43.4%, P < 0.01). Overall, there was no significant difference in laterality. Conclusions This large series of patients suggests that single eutopic abnormal parathyroid glands are more likely to be inferior. In men, moreover, if an abnormal parathyroid gland is not localized preoperatively, the right inferior location should be explored first. Nevertheless, successful PTX remains predicated on knowledge of parathyroid anatomy, experience, and judgment of the surgeon.
AB - Background Primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) is commonly treated with targeted parathyroidectomy (PTX) guided by preoperative imaging and intraoperative parathormone monitoring. Despite advanced imaging techniques, failure of parathyroid localization still occurs. This study determines the anatomical distribution of single abnormal parathyroid glands, which may help direct the surgeon in PTX when preoperative localization is unsuccessful. Methods A retrospective review of prospectively collected data of 810 patients with pHPT who underwent initial PTX at a tertiary medical center was performed. All patients had biochemically confirmed pHPT and single-gland disease. Abnormal parathyroid gland localization was determined at time of operation, correlated with operative and pathology reports, and confirmed by operative success defined as eucalcemia for ≥6 mo after PTX. Patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia, secondary, tertiary, or familial hyperparathyroidism, multiglandular disease, parathyroid cancer, and ectopic glands were excluded. Data were analyzed by chi-square and Z-test analyses. Results Among 810 patients who underwent PTX for pHPT, single abnormal parathyroid glands were unequally distributed among the four eutopic locations (left superior, 15.7%; left inferior, 31.3%; right superior, 15.8%; right inferior, 37.2%; P < 0.01). Abnormal inferior parathyroid glands (68.5%) were significantly more common than abnormal superior glands (31.5%), respectively (P < 0.01). In men, the most common location for single abnormal parathyroid glands was the right inferior position (43.4%, P < 0.01). Overall, there was no significant difference in laterality. Conclusions This large series of patients suggests that single eutopic abnormal parathyroid glands are more likely to be inferior. In men, moreover, if an abnormal parathyroid gland is not localized preoperatively, the right inferior location should be explored first. Nevertheless, successful PTX remains predicated on knowledge of parathyroid anatomy, experience, and judgment of the surgeon.
KW - Negative parathyroid imaging
KW - Parathyroid anatomy
KW - Parathyroid gland localization
KW - Parathyroidectomy
KW - Primary hyperparathyroidism
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84991508553&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.jss.2016.08.045
DO - 10.1016/j.jss.2016.08.045
M3 - Article
C2 - 27979480
AN - SCOPUS:84991508553
VL - 207
SP - 22
EP - 26
JO - Journal of Surgical Research
JF - Journal of Surgical Research
SN - 0022-4804
ER -