Endocrine: Parathyroid adenoma (brief)

Question 1

what is a parathyroid adenoma?

Answer 1

a benign tumour on one of your parathyroid glands

Question 2

where is parathyroid hormone secreted from?

Answer 2

secreted from the chief cells of the parathyroid gland

Question 3

what does parathyroid hormone do?

Answer 3

increase absorption of calcium from the gut and reabsorption from the kidneys

inc blood levels of calcium

Question 4

what are the risk factors for a parathyroid adenoma?

Answer 4

• radiation to head and neck
• endocrine neoplasia
• family history (MEN1/2 gene)
• female
• increasing age (over 60)

Question 5

how might a parathyroid adenoma present?

Answer 5

Osteoporosis.
Kidney stones.
Excessive urination.
Abdominal pain.
Tiring easily or weakness.
Depression or forgetfulness.
Bone and joint pain.
Frequent complaints of illness with no apparent cause.
Nausea, vomiting or loss of appetite.

Question 6

which conditions may present in a similar way to a parathyroid adenoma?

Answer 6

hypercalcaemia
hyperparathyroidism
malignancy

Question 7

what investigations would you conduct to confirm a diagnosis of a parathyroid adenoma?

Answer 7

Bloods: PTH levels, Calcium + phosphate biochemistry.

Imagery: X-ray, USS, CT scan.

Question 8

what may the complications of a parathyroid adenoma be?

Answer 8

same as Hyperparathyroidism:

• osteoporosis
• kidney stones
• cardiovascular disease
• neonatal hypoparathyroidism