Ethanol injection to parathyroid tissue: indications and limitations.
Hyperparathyroidism is a potentially life-threatening disease, caused primarily by parathyroid adenoma. Surgical excision of the tumor, with consequent return of calcium levels to the normal range, is considered the treatment of choice. Within the last few years, several reports have described the destruction of parathyroid tissue using ultrasonically guided injection of 96% ethanol into pathologic parathyroid glands, resulting in successful regulation of both primary and secondary hyperparathyroidism. The procedure was reported as an alternative to operative treatment for patients as high surgical risk, such as the elderly and the critically ill. We report the occurrence of transient Horner's syndrome and vocal fold paralysis after successful injections of ethanol into a parathyroid adenoma, and discuss the implications and restrictions of the procedure in view of the medical literature.
Department of ENT and Head & Neck Surgery, Kaplan Hospitals, Rehovot, Israel. khafif@netvision.net.il
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Khafif
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Halperin
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Marshak
D000236:Adenoma / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000368:Aged; D000431:Ethanol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D015552:Injections, Intralesional; D008297:Male; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone / Q000097:blood; D010282:Parathyroid Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014463:Ultrasonography
D010281:Parathyroid Hormone; D000431:Ethanol