Use of a rapid intraoperative parathyroid hormone assay in the surgical management of parathyroid disease.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the utility of a rapid intraoperative parathyroid hormone (PTH) immunoradiometric assay in the surgical management of parathyroid disease, particularly with reference to limiting extent of cervical exploration.


METHODS
Nonrandomized prospective study.


METHODS
Academic tertiary care center.


METHODS
Forty-three consecutive patients undergoing parathyroid exploration for adenoma or hyperplasia had rapid PTH assays performed from blood drawn at induction and 7 minutes after resection of all hyperfunctioning parathyroid tissue.


METHODS
Excision of all hyperfunctioning parathyroid tissue as assessed by bilateral neck exploration, postoperative normalization of serum calcium and PTH levels, and resolution of clinical symptoms.


RESULTS
The intraoperative rapid PTH assay accurately reflected whether all hyperfunctioning parathyroid tissue was excised in every patient. In 41 patients, all hyperfunctioning parathyroid tissue was resected at the time of surgery and confirmed by a corresponding decrease in the intraoperative postexcision rapid PTH determination as well as by subsequent normalization of postoperative serum calcium and PTH levels and resolution of clinical symptoms. In 2 patients, the postexcision rapid PTH assay determination was not consistent with removal of all hyperfunctioning parathyroid disease and both patients demonstrated persistent hyperparathyroidism postoperatively.


CONCLUSIONS
The intraoperative rapid PTH assay may be of significant benefit in permitting directed unilateral parathyroid explorations for adenoma when combined with preoperative localization with a technetium-99m sestamibi scan. Additionally, the rapid PTH assay has proved to be of benefit in confirming excision of all hyperfunctioning parathyroid tissue in patients with multiple gland hyperplasia, particularly those who may harbor ectopic parathyroid tissue.
Patel
P C
PC
Departments of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Penn State Geisinger Health System, Danville 17822-1333, USA.
Pellitteri
P K
PK
Patel
N M
NM
Fleetwood
M K
MK
D000236:Adenoma / Q000097:blood / Q000601:surgery*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia; D015592:Immunoradiometric Assay / Q000379:methods*; D007432:Intraoperative Period; D010280:Parathyroid Glands / Q000473:pathology; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D010282:Parathyroid Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000601:surgery*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors
D010281:Parathyroid Hormone