Diagnosis and surgical treatment of parathyroid tumors in elderly patients / 中华老年医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the clinical features and efficiency of surgical treatment in elderly patients with parathyroid tumor.Methods Clinical data of 12 cases (aged 60-83 years) was retrospectively analyzed.Their main complaints varies individually,including bone and muscle trouble in 9 patients,abdominal problem in 7 ones,and kidney stone in 6 ones.PTH level ranged from 78 to 2850 μg/L,and calcium level 2.6-4.5 mmol/L.Parathyroidectomy was carried out in 8 patients,while extended excision of suspected tissues in 6 ones.Intraoperative PTH determination was routinely performed.Results A drop by at least 50％ in PTH level was achieved in all cases after 10 minutes of tumor-bearing tissues excision.A much improvement of main complaints was shown in all cases about 1 week postoperatively.During the follow-up period from 18 to 48 months,both PTH and calcium levels were still in normal range in 9 patients,relapse was noticed in two cases 1 or 2 years after operation respectively.One patient died even after successful excision of parathyroid tumor.Conclusions PTH and calcium level determination is advised in elderly patients with suspected parathyroid tumor,and surgical treatment is generally safe and effective.