[Radioimmunological determination of parathyroid hormone: regional localization in hypercalcaemic hyperparathyroidism (author's transl)].

Angiographic or scintigraphic localization of parathyroid adenomas is successful in only a small number of patients with hypercalcaemic hyperparathyroidism. This report is concerned with the preoperative localization of parathyroid adenomas by regional catheterization of the thyroid veins in patients with hypercalcaemic hyperparathyroidism (n = 7). PTH was determined radioimmunologically, using an antiserum specific for PTH1-84 and the carboxyl-terminal fragment of the hormone. Determination of regional differences in the plasma concentration of PTH permitted the preoperative localization of PTH secreting adenomas. The preoperative localization of parathyroid adenomas was confirmed in each instance by surgery. Thus, the regional determination of plasma PTH represents a tool to improve the preoperative localization of parathyroid adenomas in patients with hypercalcaemic hyperparathyroidism and, hence, to reduce the risk of an unsuccessful operation.