[Familial and recurrent hyperparathyroidism. Apropos of 7 adenomas in 3 members of the same family. Review of the literature].

Over a period of 23 years, 3 members of a family of 5 presented with 7 parathyroid adenomas (4 in the first case, 2 in the second case, 1 in the third case). Excision of each adenoma, with systematic pre-operative assessment of the remaining parathyroid tissue, led to complete clinical and laboratory cure of each episode. The delay in the appearance of recurrence was between 3 and 9 years. After reviewing the literature, the authors stress the importance, in any case of hyperparathyroidism, of routinely investigating the serum calcium levels in members of the patient's family, especially if the patient is young and if he has had several episodes or a multiglandular involvement in the one episode. The authors discuss the literature concerning recurrent familial hyperparathyroidism with endocrine polyadenomatosis and the "hypercalcaemia - hypocalciuria" syndrome.