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Surgical Pathology Clinics Dec 2019Proliferative pathologic lesions of parathyroid glands encompass a spectrum of entities ranging from benign hyperplastic processes to malignant neoplasia. This review... (Review)
Review
Proliferative pathologic lesions of parathyroid glands encompass a spectrum of entities ranging from benign hyperplastic processes to malignant neoplasia. This review article outlines the pathophysiologic classification of parathyroid disorders and describes histologic, immunohistochemical, and molecular features that can be assessed to render accurate diagnoses.
Topics: Adenoma; Humans; Hyperparathyroidism; Immunohistochemistry; Parathyroid Glands; Parathyroid Neoplasms
PubMed: 31672291
DOI: 10.1016/j.path.2019.08.006 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2021The goal of parathyroid imaging is to identify all sources of excess parathyroid hormone secretion pre-operatively. A variety of imaging approaches have been evaluated... (Review)
Review
The goal of parathyroid imaging is to identify all sources of excess parathyroid hormone secretion pre-operatively. A variety of imaging approaches have been evaluated and utilized over the years for this purpose. Ultrasound relies solely on structural features and is without radiation, however is limited to superficial evaluation. 4DCT and 4DMRI provide enhancement characteristics in addition to structural features and dynamic enhancement has been investigated as a way to better distinguish parathyroid from adjacent structures. It is important to recognize that 4DCT provides valuable information however results in much higher radiation dose to the thyroid gland than the other available examinations, and therefore the optimal number of phases is an area of controversy. Single-photon scintigraphy with 99mTc-Sestamibi, or dual tracer 99mTc-pertechnetate and 99mTc-sestamibi with or without SPECT or SPECT/CT is part of the standard of care in many centers with availability and expertise in nuclear medicine. This molecular imaging approach detects cellular physiology such as mitochondria content found in parathyroid adenomas. Combining structural imaging such as CT or MRI with molecular imaging in a hybrid approach allows the ability to obtain robust structural and functional information in one examination. Hybrid PET/CT is widely available and provides improved imaging and quantification over SPECT or SPECT/CT. Emerging PET imaging techniques, such as 18F-Fluorocholine, have the exciting potential to reinvent parathyroid imaging. PET/MRI may be particularly well suited to parathyroid imaging, where available, because of the ability to perform dynamic contrast-enhanced imaging and co-registered 18F-Fluorocholine PET imaging simultaneously with low radiation dose to the thyroid. A targeted agent specific for a parathyroid tissue biomarker remains to be identified.
Topics: Humans; Hyperparathyroidism, Primary; Parathyroid Glands; Parathyroid Neoplasms; Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography; Technetium Tc 99m Sestamibi
PubMed: 35283807
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.760419 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2021Regulation of the serum calcium level in humans is achieved by the endocrine action of parathyroid glands working in concert with vitamin D and a set of critical target... (Review)
Review
Regulation of the serum calcium level in humans is achieved by the endocrine action of parathyroid glands working in concert with vitamin D and a set of critical target cells and tissues including osteoblasts, osteoclasts, the renal tubules, and the small intestine. The parathyroid glands, small highly vascularized endocrine organs located behind the thyroid gland, secrete parathyroid hormone (PTH) into the systemic circulation as is needed to keep the serum free calcium concentration within a tight physiologic range. Primary hyperparathyroidism (HPT), a disorder of mineral metabolism usually associated with abnormally elevated serum calcium, results from the uncontrolled release of PTH from one or several abnormal parathyroid glands. Although in the vast majority of cases HPT is a sporadic disease, it can also present as a manifestation of a familial syndrome. Many benign and malignant sporadic parathyroid neoplasms are caused by loss-of-function mutations in tumor suppressor genes that were initially identified by the study of genomic DNA from patients who developed HPT as a manifestation of an inherited syndrome. Somatic and inherited mutations in certain proto-oncogenes can also result in the development of parathyroid tumors. The clinical and genetic investigation of familial HPT in kindreds found to lack germline variants in the already known HPT-predisposition genes represents a promising future direction for the discovery of novel genes relevant to parathyroid tumor development.
Topics: Calcium; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Humans; Hyperparathyroidism; Mutation; Parathyroid Glands; Parathyroid Hormone
PubMed: 33716975
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.623667 -
The Journal of International Medical... Jan 2020
Topics: Calcium; Delayed Diagnosis; Humans; Hyperparathyroidism; Hypocalcemia; Parathyroid Glands; Parathyroid Hormone; Parathyroid Neoplasms; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic; Ultrasonography; Vitamin D Deficiency
PubMed: 31997682
DOI: 10.1177/0300060519827415 -
The Quarterly Journal of Nuclear... Jun 2022Parathyroid imaging is essential for the detection and localization of hyperfunctioning parathyroid tissue in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT). Surgical...
Parathyroid imaging is essential for the detection and localization of hyperfunctioning parathyroid tissue in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT). Surgical treatment of pHPT mainly consists of minimally invasive parathyroidectomy (MIP), as a single adenoma represents the most common cause of this endocrine disorder. Successful surgery requires an experienced surgeon and relies on the correct preoperative detection and localization of hyperfunctioning parathyroid glands. Failure to preoperatively identify the culprit parathyroid gland by imaging may entail a more invasive surgical approach, including bilateral open neck exploration, with higher morbidity compared to minimally invasive parathyroidectomy. Parathyroid imaging may be also useful before surgery in case of secondary hyperparathyroidism (sHPT) or hereditary disorders (MEN 1, 2, 4) as it enables correct localization of typically located parathyroid glands, detection of ectopic as well as supernumerary glands. It is now accepted by most surgeons experienced in parathyroid surgery that preoperative imaging plays a key role in their patients' management. Recently, the European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM) issued an updated version of its Guidelines on parathyroid imaging. Its aim is to precise the role and the advantages and drawbacks of the various imaging modalities proposed or well established in the preoperative imaging strategy. It also aims to favor high performance in indicating, performing, and interpreting those examinations. The objective of the present article is to offer a summary of those recent EANM Guidelines and their originality among other Guidelines in this domain issued by societies of nuclear medicine physicians or other disciplines.
Topics: Humans; Nuclear Medicine; Parathyroid Glands; Parathyroid Neoplasms; Parathyroidectomy; Radionuclide Imaging; Technetium Tc 99m Sestamibi
PubMed: 35166093
DOI: 10.23736/S1824-4785.22.03427-6 -
Archives of Endocrinology and Metabolism Nov 2022Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is a hypercalcemic disorder that occurs when one or more parathyroid glands produces excessive parathyroid hormone (PTH). PHPT is... (Review)
Review
Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is a hypercalcemic disorder that occurs when one or more parathyroid glands produces excessive parathyroid hormone (PTH). PHPT is typically treated with surgery, and it remains the only definitive therapy, whose techniques have evolved over previous decades. Advances in preoperative localization exams and the intraoperative PTH monitoring have become the cornerstones of recent parathyroidectomy techniques, as minimally invasive techniques are appropriate for most patients. Nevertheless, these techniques, are not suitable for PHPT patients who are at risk for multiglandular disease, especially in those who present with familial forms of PHPT that require bilateral neck exploration. This manuscript also explores other conditions that warrant special consideration during surgical treatment for PHPT: normocalcemic primary hyperparathyroidism, pregnancy, reoperation for persistent or recurrent PHPT, parathyroid carcinoma, and familial and genetic forms of hyperparathyroidism.
Topics: Humans; Hyperparathyroidism, Primary; Parathyroidectomy; Parathyroid Neoplasms; Parathyroid Hormone; Parathyroid Glands
PubMed: 36382757
DOI: 10.20945/2359-3997000000557 -
International Journal of Molecular... Oct 2021Parathyroid tumors are rare endocrine neoplasms affecting 0.1-0.3% of the general population, including benign parathyroid adenomas (PAs; about 98% of cases),... (Review)
Review
Parathyroid tumors are rare endocrine neoplasms affecting 0.1-0.3% of the general population, including benign parathyroid adenomas (PAs; about 98% of cases), intermediate atypical parathyroid adenomas (aPAs; 1.2-1.3% of cases) and malignant metastatic parathyroid carcinomas (PCs; less than 1% of cases). These tumors are characterized by a variable spectrum of clinical phenotypes and an elevated cellular, histological and molecular heterogeneity that make it difficult to pre-operatively distinguish PAs, aPAs and PCs. Thorough knowledge of genetic, epigenetic, and molecular signatures, which characterize different parathyroid tumor subtypes and drive different tumorigeneses, is a key step to identify potential diagnostic biomarkers able to distinguish among different parathyroid neoplastic types, as well as provide novel therapeutic targets and strategies for these rare neoplasms, which are still a clinical and therapeutic challenge. Here, we review the current knowledge on gene mutations and epigenetic changes that have been associated with the development of different clinical types of parathyroid tumors, both in familial and sporadic forms of these endocrine neoplasms.
Topics: Adenoma; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p27; Epigenesis, Genetic; Fibroma; Humans; Hyperparathyroidism; Hyperparathyroidism, Primary; Jaw Neoplasms; Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1; Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2a; Mutation; Parathyroid Neoplasms; Proto-Oncogene Proteins; Tumor Suppressor Proteins
PubMed: 34681865
DOI: 10.3390/ijms222011206 -
Cancers Nov 2022Parathyroid cancer (PC) is rare, but its pre-operative recognition is important to choose appropriate access strategies and achieve oncological clearance. This study...
Parathyroid cancer (PC) is rare, but its pre-operative recognition is important to choose appropriate access strategies and achieve oncological clearance. This study characterizes features of mediastinal parathyroid cancer (MPC) and explores criteria aiding in the pre-operative recognition of malignancy. We assembled data from 502 patients with mediastinal parathyroid neoplasms (MPNs) from a systematic review of the literature 1968−2020 (n = 467) and our own patient cohort (n = 35). Thirty-two of the 502 MPNs (6.4%) exhibited malignancy. Only 23% of MPC patients underwent oncological surgery. Local persistence and early recurrence at a median delay of 24 months were frequent (45.8%), and associated with a 21.7-fold (95%CI 1.3−351.4; p = 0.03) higher risk of death due to disease. MPCs (n = 30) were significantly larger than cervical PC (n = 330), at 54 ± 36 mm vs. 35 ± 18 mm (χ2 = 20; p < 0.0001), and larger than mediastinal parathyroid adenomas (MPA; n = 226) at 22 ± 15 mm (χ2 = 33; p < 0.01). MPC occurred more commonly in males (60%; p < 0.01), with higher calcium (p < 0.01) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels (p < 0.01) than MPA. Mediastinal lesions larger than 3.0 cm and associated with a corrected calcium ≥ 3.0 mM are associated with a more than 100-fold higher odds ratio of being malignant (OR 109.2; 95%CI 1.1−346; p < 0.05). The composite 3 + 3 criterion recognized 74% of all MPC with an accuracy of 83%. Inversely, no MPN presenting with a calcium < 3.0 mM and size < 3.0 cm was malignant. When faced with pHPT in mediastinal location, consideration of the 3 + 3 rule may trigger an oncological team approach based on simple, available criteria.
PubMed: 36497335
DOI: 10.3390/cancers14235852 -
Autopsy & Case Reports 2021Hemangiomas are benign neoplasms of capillary proliferation that arise from a developmental anomaly where angioblastic mesenchyme fails to form canals. Most hemangiomas... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Hemangiomas are benign neoplasms of capillary proliferation that arise from a developmental anomaly where angioblastic mesenchyme fails to form canals. Most hemangiomas arise in the head and neck region, either superficially in the skin or deeper within endocrine organs such as the parotid gland. Parathyroid hemangiomas, however, are extremely rare, with only five cases previously reported in the literature.
CASE PRESENTATION
Herein, we present a case of a 68-year-old man with a hemangioma almost completely replacing the right upper parathyroid gland, grossly measuring 1.3 × 1.3 × 1.2 cm and weighing 700 mg, associated with primary hyperparathyroidism.
CONCLUSIONS
Parathyroid gland enlargement due to vascular neoplasms such as hemangiomas can mimic, both clinically and radiographically, hyperplasias and/or adenomas. Surgeons need to be aware of the presence of this entity and should consider it in the differential diagnosis of hyperparathyroidism or parathyroid gland enlargement.
PubMed: 34249786
DOI: 10.4322/acr.2021.270