| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4306855 | Surgery | 2014 | 11 Pages |
BackgroundParathyroid glands (PG) are rarely analyzed in renal transplant (RTX) patients. This study analyzes comparatively PG of RTX and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. The clinical part of the study evaluates if total parathyroidectomy with autotransplantation (TPT+AT) treats appropriately hypercalcemic hyperparathyroidism in RTX patients.MethodsTPT+AT was performed in 15 of 23 RTX and 21 of 27 ESRD patients. Remaining patients underwent less-than-total PT. Volume and stage of hyperplasia were determined from 86 PG of RTX and 109 PG of ESRD patients. Patients were categorized according to the presence of small PG (volume < 100 mm3). Calcium homeostasis and hyperparathyroidism were evaluated 2 years after PT in RTX patients.ResultsPG of RTX patients were significantly smaller, but similar hyperplastic in comparison to PG of ESRD patients. Small PG were more frequent in RTX than in ESRD patients (19% vs 6%) and mainly graded normal or diffuse hyperplastic (94%). Forty-seven percent of RTX, but only 14% of ESRD, patients receiving a total PT possessed ≥1 small PG (P < .05). Overall, PT treated successfully hypercalcemic hyperparathyroidism. However, TPT+AT caused permanent hypocalcemia in 50% of RTX patients without small PG and even in 83% of RTX patients with small PG. All RTX patients receiving less-than-total PT were normocalcemic at 2-year follow-up. Logistic regression revealed a 10.7 times greater risk of permanent hypocalcemia in RTX patients with small PG receiving TPT+AT compared with RTX patients without small PG receiving TPT+AT or RTX patients undergoing less-than-total PT.ConclusionSurgeons performing PT should be aware of the high frequency of small and less diseased PG in RTX patients. In this context, TPT+AT might overtreat hypercalcemic hyperparathyroidism in RTX patients, especially when small PG are present.
