[Primary hyperparathyroidism. Postoperative normocalcemic hyperparathyrinemia after curative parathyroidectomy].

INTRODUCTION

Normocalcemic hyperparathyrinemia, i.e. elevated parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels after parathyroidectomy in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) may occur in the course of postoperative recovery without the development of persistence or relapse.

MATERIALS, METHODS AND RESULTS: Intraoperative and long-term (7 year) postoperative PTH and calcium levels after curative parathyroidectomy are demonstrated on the basis of a case report of a 62-year-old female patient with severe pHPT and pronounced osseous and renal manifestations. The intraoperative PTH gradient displayed a decrease from 1072 pg/ml to 13 pg/ml (normal range 11-67 pg/ml) followed by an increase of up to 287 pg/ml. The hyperparathyoid values decline to subnormal levels on administration of calcium and vitamin D and increase again after tapering these medications. The inverse calcium/PTH correlation in the course of the 7-year observation period suggests an intact feed-back mechanism. Preoperative PTH screening was performed in 316 consecutive normocalcemic thyroid patients to evaluate the rate of incidental hyperparathyroidism in patients with normal serum calcium levels. Of these patients 31 (9.8%) with normocalcemia (average 2.28 mmol/l, normal range 2.1-2.7 mmol/l) exhibited increased PTH levels averaging 84.2 pg/ml. A parathyroid adenoma was found intraoperatively as the cause for normocalcemic pHPT in only 1 of these 31 patients.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

A review of the literature revealed that late postoperative elevated parathyroid hormone levels after successful pHPT surgery occur in 21.5%. Multiple causes are discussed, e.g. reactive hyperparathyroidism in cases of relative hypocalcemia, hungry bone syndrome, vitamin D deficiency, renal dysfunction and ethnic or lifestyle differences. In mild cases of postoperative hyperparathyrinemia observation of the patient may be sufficient. In cases of reactive hyperparathyroidism due to hypocalcemia, administration of calcium is indicated, in symptomatic patients, additional administration of vitamin D or calcitriol is necessary. Vitamin D deficiency per se needs adequate substitution. In cases of ongoing hyperparathyrinemia an interdisciplinary diagnostic and therapeutic approach is required.