Parathyroid hormone levels after parathyroidectomy for secondary hyperparathyroidism

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The parathormone level after parathyroidectomy in dialysis patients are of interest. Low levels may require cryopreserved tissue implantation; however, the resection is necessary in case of recurrence. We analyzed post parathyroidectomy parathormone levels in renal hyperparathyroidism. METHODS: Prospective observation of postoperative parathormone levels over defined periods in a cohort of dialysis patients that underwent total parathyroidectomy and immediate forearm autograft from 2008 to 2010, at a single tertiary care hospital. RESULTS: Of 33 patients, parathormone levels until 36 months could be divided into four patterns. Patients with stable function (Pattern 1) show relatively constant levels after two months (67% of the cases). Early function and later failure (Pattern 2) were an initial function with marked parathormone reduction before one year (18%). Graft recurrence (Pattern 3) showed a progressive increase of parathormone in four cases (12%). Complete graft failure (Pattern 4) was a nonfunctioning implant at any period, which was observed in one patient (3%). Parathormone levels of Pattern 3 became statistically different of Pattern 1 at 36 months. CONCLUSIONS: Patients that underwent the total parathyroidectomy and autograft present four different graft function patterns with a possible varied therapeutic management.

Early postoperative parathormone sampling and prognosis after total parathyroidectomy in secondary hyperparathyroidism / Dosagem pós-operatória precoce de paratormônio e prognóstico, após paratireoidectoma total por hiperparatireoidismo secundário

Abstract Introduction: There is possibility of a supernumerary hyperplastic parathyroid gland in dialysis patients after total parathyroidectomy and autograft in dialysis patients. Objective: To test if the early postoperative measure of parathyroid hormone (PTH) can identify persistent hyperparathyroidism. Methods: A prospective cohort of dialysis patients submitted to parathyroidectomy had PTH measured up to one week after operation. The absolute value and the relative decrease were analyzed according to clinical outcome of satisfactory control of secondary hyperparathyroidism or persistence. Results: Of 51 cases, preoperative PTH varied from 425 to 6,964 pg/mL (median 2,103 pg/mL). Postoperatively, PTH was undetectable in 28 cases (54.9%). In eight individuals (15.7%) the PTH was lower than 16 pg/mL, in 10 (19.6%) the PTH values were between 16 and 87pg/mL, and in five (9.8%), PTH was higher than 87 pg/mL. Undetectable PTH was more common in patients with preoperative PTH below the median (p = 0.0002). There was a significant correlation between preoperative PTH and early postoperative PTH (Spearman R = 0.42, p = 0.002). A relative decrease superior to 95% was associated to satisfactory clinical outcome. A relative decrease less than 80% was associated to persistent disease, despite initial postoperative hypocalcemia. Conclusion: Measurement of PTH in the first days after parathyroidectomy in dialysis patients may suggest good clinical outcome if a decrease of at least 95% of the preoperative value is observed. Less than 80% PTH decrease is highly suggestive of residual hyperfunctioning parathyroid tissue with persistent hyperparathyroidism, and an early reintervention may be considered.

Resumo Introdução: Em pacientes renais crônicos dialíticos submetidos à paratireoidectomia total com autoenxerto, existe a possibilidade de uma glândula paratireoide hiperplásica residual. Objetivo: Verificar se a medida pós-operatória precoce do hormônio da paratireoide (PTH) após paratireoidectomia total com autoenxerto é útil para indicar uma glândula paratireoide residual ou supranumerária hiperplásica em pacientes dialíticos. Método: Em uma coorte prospectiva de pacientes em diálise submetidos a paratireoidectomia foi medido o PTH até uma semana após à operação. O valor absoluto e o decréscimo relativo foram analisados de acordo como desfecho clínico de controle satisfatório do hiperparatireoidismo ou persistência. Resultados: Em 51 casos, o PTH preoperatório variou entre 425 e 6.964pg/mL (mediana 2.103pg/mL). No pós-operatório, o PTH foi indetectável em 28 casos (54,9%). Em 8 indivíduos (15,7%), o PTH foi menor que 16pg/mL, em 10 (19,6%) os valores de PTH values estiveram entre 16 e 87pg/mL e em 5 (9.8%), o PTH foi superior a 87pg/mL. O PTH indetectável foi mais comum em pacientes com valor de PTH pré-operatório abaixo da mediana do PTH dos casos (p = 0,0002). Houve correlação significativa entre o PTH pré-operatório e o PTH pós-operatório precoce (Spearman R = 0,42, p = 0,002). Um decréscimo relativo superior a 95% associou-se a desfecho clínico satisfatório. O decréscimo relativo inferior a 80% associou-se à doença persistente, apesar de hipocalcemia inicial. Conclusões: A dosagem do PTH nos primeiros dias após à paratireoidectomia em pacientes dialíticos pode sugerir bom desfecho clínico quando há um decréscimo de pelo menos 95% em relação ao valor pré-operatório. O decréscimo inferior a 80% é indicativo de tecido paratireóideo residual com persistência do hiperparatireoidismo e uma reintervenção precoce pode ser considerada.

The deceptive concept of hypoparathyroidism and recurrence after parathyroidectomy in dialysis patients: are we offering a Procrustean bed to some patients? / O enganoso conceito de hipoparatireoidismo e recidiva após paratireoidectomia em pacientes dialíticos: estamos oferecendo uma cama de Procrustes a alguns pacientes?

ABSTRACT Objective: to analyze the frequency of hypoparathyroidism and of its recurrence after parathyroidectomy in dialysis patients according to different existing classifications. Methods: we conducted a retrospective study of 107 consecutive dialysis patients undergoing total parathyroidectomy with immediate autograft in a tertiary hospital from 2006 to 2010. We studied the changes in PTH levels in the postoperative period over time. Were grouped patients according to different PTH levels targets recommended according to the dosage method and by the American and Japanese Nephrology Societies, and by an International Experts Consortium. Results: after parathyroidectomy, there was sustained reduction in serum calcium and phosphatemia. The median value of PTH decreased from 1904pg/ml to 55pg/ml in 12 months. Depending on the considered target level, the proportion of patients below the target ranged between 17% and 87%. On the other hand, the proportion of patients with levels above the target ranged from 3% to 37%. Conclusion: the application of different recommendations for PTH levels after parathyroidectomy in dialysis patients may lead to incorrect classifications of hypoparathyroidism or recurrent hyperparathyroidism and resultin discordant therapeutic conducts.

RESUMO Objetivo: analisar as frequências de hipoparatireoidismo e de recidiva do hiperparatireoidismo após paratireoidectomia em pacientes dialíticos de acordo com diferentes classificações existentes. Métodos: estudo retrospectivo de 107 pacientes dialíticos consecutivamente submetidos à paratireoidectomia total com autoenxerto imediato em um hospital terciário no período de 2006 a 2010. A variação dos níveis de PTH no pós-operatório foi estudada ao longo do tempo. Os pacientes foram agrupados de acordo com diferentes metas de níveis de PTH recomendados de acordo com o método de dosagem e pelas sociedades de nefrologia americana, japonesa e de um consórcio internacional de especialistas. Resultados: após a paratireoidectomia, houve redução sustentada da calcemia e fosfatemia. O valor mediano do PTH reduziu-se de 1904pg/ml para 55pg/ml, em 12 meses. Dependendo do nível alvo considerado, a proporção de pacientes abaixo da meta variou entre 17% e 87%. Ao contrário, a proporção de pacientes com níveis acima da meta variou de 3% a 37%. Conclusão: O emprego de diferentes recomendações de níveis de PTH em pacientes dialíticos após paratireoidectomia pode levar a classificações incorretas de hipoparatireoidismo ou hiperparatireoidismo recidivado e implicar em condutas terapêuticas discordantes.

Total parathyroidectomy in a large cohort of cases with hyperparathyroidism associated with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1: experience from a single academic center

Most cases of sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism present disturbances in a single parathyroid gland and the surgery of choice is adenomectomy. Conversely, hyperparathyroidism associated with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (hyperparathyroidism/multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1) is an asynchronic, asymmetrical multiglandular disease and it is surgically approached by either subtotal parathyroidectomy or total parathyroidectomy followed by parathyroid auto-implant to the forearm. In skilful hands, the efficacy of both approaches is similar and both should be complemented by prophylactic thymectomy. In a single academic center, 83 cases of hyperparathyroidism/ multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 were operated on from 1987 to 2010 and our first surgical choice was total parathyroidectomy followed by parathyroid auto-implant to the non-dominant forearm and, since 1997, associated transcervical thymectomy to prevent thymic carcinoid. Overall, 40% of patients were given calcium replacement (mean intake 1.6 g/day) during the first months after surgery, and this fell to 28% in patients with longer follow-up. These findings indicate that several months may be needed in order to achieve a proper secretion by the parathyroid auto-implant. Hyperparathyroidism recurrence was observed in up to 15% of cases several years after the initial surgery. Thus, long-term follow-up is recommended for such cases. We conclude that, despite a tendency to subtotal parathyroidectomy worldwide, total parathyroidectomy followed by parathyroid auto-implant is a valid surgical option to treat hyperparathyroidism/multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1. Larger comparative systematic studies are needed to define the best surgical approach to hyperparathyroidism/multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1.

Obstrução intestinal devido a enterólitos em divertículo de Meckel: relato de caso / Small bowel obstruction caused by Meckel'S diverticulum enterolith: case report

Divertículo de Meckel (DM) é uma patologia congênita relativamente comum, subdiagnosticada porque raramente apresenta sintomas. A maior parte dos DM sintomáticos ocorre em crianças, e se apresenta na forma de hemorragia digestiva baixa...

Meckel Diverticulum (MD) is a relatively common congenital anomaly, but is rarely diagnosed because it is usually asymptomatic. Most of the symptomatic MD presents as intestinal bleeding in children. Enterolith is a rare complication in MD, because the conditions supposed to be necessary for the stones formation (stasis and alkaline environment) are uncommon. Enteroltith formation have been reported in those MD with narrow neck (witch contributes to stasis) and absence of ectopic gastric mucosa (witch allows the development of a alkaline environment). The most common symptom is recurrent abdominal pain. The image findings are stones seen in the plain films or in the interior of the intestine wall at CT. This report is different from the previous by showing enteroliths in a MD with ectopic gastric mucosa and a wide neck communicating the diverticulum to the intestinal lumen...