de Francisco A L, Amado J A, Casanova D, Briz E, Riancho J, Cotorruelo J, de Bonis E, Canga E, Arias M
Department of Medicine, Hospital Nacional Valdecilla, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain.
Nephron. 1991;58(3):306-9. doi: 10.1159/000186441.
The diagnosis of persistent or recurrent hyperparathyroidism after total parathyroidectomy with autograft in the forearm needs a correct assessment of graft function. In 6 patients with relapsing hyperparathyroidism after total parathyroidectomy with forearm implant, total ischaemic blockade of the arm bearing the parathyroid graft, produced a 'temporal implantectomy' with reduction of iPTH in those with graft hyperfunction. In 2 patients with proved supernumerary gland, total ischaemia of the 'graft' was not followed by iPTH changes. Total ischaemic blockade of the arm bearing the parathyroid graft is a valuable method for a correct assessment of graft function. It gives useful information in order to avoid or indicate a reoperation of the neck in patients who had previously undergone parathyroidectomy.
