Non-surgical therapy of primary hyperparathyroidism.

BACKGROUND

Primary hyperparathyroidism is a commonly encountered illness that can usually be treated successfully with surgery. However, non-surgical ablation by either infusion of contrast media via angiography or percutaneous injection of ethanol has been reported from a few medical centers.

METHODS

All patients undergoing non-surgical treatment of primary hyperthyroidism at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center were identified and their records reviewed.

RESULTS

We have used non-surgical techniques to treat three patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. The patients were considered poor surgical candidates or had persistent hypercalcemia after neck exploration. Hypercalcemia was improved or cured in each of the patients without recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

Our application of these techniques indicates that centers without extensive experience can successfully employ angiographic or ethanol ablation of parathyroid adenomas.