Chapter 23: Parathyroid Flashcards
Where are the superior parathyroids found?
Lateral to the recurrent laryngeal nerves (RLNs), posterior surface of superior portion of gland, above inferior thyroid artery
Superior parathyroids develop from what
4th pharyngeal pouch; associated with thyroid complex
Inferior parathyroids develop from what
3rd pharyngeal pouch; associated with thymus
Where are the inferior parathyroids found?
- Medial to RLNs, more anterior, below inferior thyroid artery
Parathyroids: which ones are more likely to have a variable location and more likely to be ectopic?
Inferior parathyroids
Where are the inferior parathyroids occasionally found?
In the tail of the thymus (most common ectopic site) and can migrate to the anterior mediastinum
Ectopic sites of inferior parathyroids
Tail of thymus, anterior mediastinum, intra-thyroid, near tracheoesophageal groove
% population that have all parathyroid glands
90%
Artery: blood supply to both superior and inferior parathyroid glands
Inferior thyroid artery
Increases serum calcium
PTH
Four physiologic effects of PTH
- Increases kidney Ca reabsorption in the DCT, decreases kidney PO4 absorption
- Increased osteoclasts in bone to release Ca (and PO4-)
- Increased VitD production in kidney (increased 1-OH hydroxylation) -> increased Ca-binding protein in intestine -> increased intestinal Ca absorption
Increases intestinal Ca and PO4 absorption by increasing calcium-binding protein
Vitamin D
- Decreases serum Ca
- Decreases Ca resorption (osteoclast inhibition)
- increases urinary Ca and PO4 excretion
Calcitonin
Normal Ca level
8.5 - 10.5 (ionized 4.4 - 5.5)
Normal PTH level
5 - 40 pg/mL
Normal PO4 level
2.5 - 5.0
Normal Cl- level
98 - 107
Most common cause of hypoparathyroidism
Previous thyroid surgery
- Women, older age
- Due to autonomously high PTH
Primary hyperparathyroidism
Dx: primary hyperparathyroidism
Increased Ca, decreased PO4-, Cl- to PO4- ratio > 33; increased renal cAMP; HCO3- secreted in urine
ABG in primary hyperparathyroidism
Hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis
Bone lesions from Ca resorption; characteristic of hyperparathyroidism
Osteitis fibrosa cystica (brown tumors)
Symptoms of primary hyperparathyroidism
Most patients have no symptoms -> increased calcium found on routine lab work for some other problem or on checkup
Muscle weakness, myalgia, nephrolithiasis, pancreatitis, PUD, depression, bone pain, pathologic fractures, mental status changes, constipation, anorexia
Primary hyperparathyroidism
- HTN can result from renal impairment
Diagnostic workup for primary hyperparathyroidism
- H&P. Elevated Ca thru 2-3 detrminations.
- CXR: look for bony mets, sarcoid, pulmonary tumors
- Excretory urogram: nephrolithiasis, renal tumors
- Serum protein electrophoresis to r/o multiple myeloma
- 24-hr urinary ca determination
- r/o MEN
- Check PTH level
Indications for surgery: primary hyperparathyroidism
- Symptomatic disease
- Asymptomatic disease with Ca > 13, decreased Cr clearance, kidney stones, substantially decreased bone mass
Primary hyperparathyroidism: % pts with single adenoma
80% of patients
Primary hyperparathyroidism: % pts with multiple adenomas
Occur in 4% of patients
Primary hyperparathyroidism: % patients with diffuse hyperplasia
Occurs in 15% of patients with MEN 1 or 2a have 4-gland hyperplasia
Hyperparathyroidism: very rare, can get high Ca levels
Parathyroid adenocarcinoma
Treatment: parathyroid adenoma
Resection; inspect other glands to rule out hyperplasia or multiple adenomas
Treatment: parathyroid hyperplasia
- Do not biopsy all glands -> risks hemorrhage and hypoparathyroidism
- Tx: resect 3 1/2 glands or total parathryoidectomy and autoimplantation
Treatment: parathyroid Ca
Need radical parathyroidectomy (need to take ipsilateral thyroid lobe)
Treatment: primary hyperparathyroidism in pregnancy
Surgery in 2nd trimester; increased risk of stillbirth if not resected
What are benefits of intra op frozen section in primary hyperparathyroidism?
Can confirm that the tissue taken was indeed parathyroid