title: US-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound as a promising non-invasive method for treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the long-term efficacy and safety of ultrasound (US)-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT).
  
  
  METHODS
  In our prospective study, 13 of 72 screened patients with PHPT were eligible for HIFU treatment, which was performed in one or two sessions. Parathyroid adenoma size and function were evaluated at baseline, 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after the final HIFU session.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 11 females and 2 males, mean age 55.2 ± 12.41 years, the mean applied energy was 15.2 ± 7.7 kJ. Parathyroid size and parathyroid hormone decreased significantly one month after HIFU therapy (p < 0.002 and p < 0.02, respectively). Calcium concentration decreased slowly to reach significant reduction nine months later (p < 0.05). Complete remission was noted in three patients (23%) after one year, good disease control was achieved in nine (69%), and procedure was unsuccessful in one patient (8%). Number of sessions was significantly related to treatment success (p < 0.05). Transitory side effects were impaired vocal cord mobility in three patients (23.1%), subcutaneous oedema in three patients (23.1%), and a combination of both in two patients (15.4%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HIFU is a promising non-invasive technique for PHPT treatment, which could serve as therapeutic alternative for selected patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  US-guided HIFU is a new non-invasive ablative technique for parathyroid adenomas. The method is efficient and ensures good disease control in most patients. HIFU is a good alternative for patients not meeting surgery criteria. Treatment is well-tolerated with only transient side effects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thyroid and Metabolic Bone Disorders, University Hospital of Endocrinology, Sofia Medical University, 2, Zdrave street, 1431, Sofia, Bulgaria, roussanka_kov@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Roussanka
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kovatcheva
authors.forename: Jordan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vlahov
authors.forename: Julian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stoinov
authors.forename: Francois
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lacoste
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ortuno
authors.forename: Katja
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zaletel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D057086:High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D049950:Hyperparathyroidism, Primary / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D061705:Image-Guided Biopsy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010280:Parathyroid Glands / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D016105:Parathyroidectomy / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography