Int Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2020;24(2):e129-e130.

Most cases of sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism present disturbances in a single parathyroid gland and the surgery of choice is adenomectomy. Conversely, hyperparathyroidism associated with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (hyperparathyroidism/multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1) is an asynchronic, asymmetrical multiglandular disease and it is surgically approached by either subtotal parathyroidectomy or total parathyroidectomy followed by parathyroid auto-implant to the forearm. In skilful hands, the efficacy of both approaches is similar and both should be complemented by prophylactic thymectomy.In a single academic center, 83 cases of hyperparathyroidism/multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 were operated on from 1987 to 2010 and our first surgical choice was total parathyroidectomy followed by parathyroid auto-implant to the non-dominant forearm and, since 1997, associated transcervical thymectomy to prevent thymic carcinoid. Overall, 40% of patients were given calcium replacement (mean intake 1.6 g/day) during the first months after surgery, and this fell to 28% in patients with longer follow-up. These findings indicate that several months may be needed in order to achieve a proper secretion by the parathyroid auto-implant. Hyperparathyroidism recurrence was observed in up to 15% of cases several years after the initial surgery. Thus, long-term follow-up is recommended for such cases. We conclude that, despite a tendency to subtotal parathyroidectomy worldwide, total parathyroidectomy followed by parathyroid auto-implant is a valid surgical option to treat hyperparathyroidism/multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1. Larger comparative systematic studies are needed to define the best surgical approach to hyperparathyroidism/multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1.

Background: The surgical treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism (HPT) in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) has evolved due the concern of permanent hypoparathyroidism. As the diagnosis has increased, the extent of operation has decreased. Most MEN1 patients requiring parathyroidectomy are younger than 50 years and they pose a difficult balance to achieve between persistent HPT and life-long hypoparathyroidism. The aim of the present study is to review our experience with a large series of patients with MEN1-related HPT (HPT/MEN1) treated at a single institution in order to find clues to a better treatment decision in these younger cases.Method: Retrospective analysis of consecutive HPT/MEN1 cases treated at a single institution with different operations: total parathyroidectomy and immediate forearm autograft (TPTX-AG), subtotal (STPTX), unintentional less than subtotal (U-LSTPTX) and intentional less than subtotal parathyroidectomy (I-LSTPTX).Results: Considering 84 initial cases operated on since 2011 (TPTX-AG, 39; STPTX, 22, U-LSTPTX, 13, and I-LSTPTX, 10), the rates of hypoparathyroidism were 30.8% (U-LSTPTX), 28.2% (TPTX-AG), 13.6% (STPTX), and 0% (I-LSTPTX). Two-thirds of them (68%; 57/84) were young (<50 years) or asdolescents. MIBI scan was more sensitive to show parathyroid glands and bilateral disease. Considering the concordance of MIBI and ultrasound for the possibility of unilateral clearance, it would be suitable to 22.6% of the cases. Intra-operative parathormone showed a significant decay even after unilateral exploration, but longer follow up is necessary. Overall, there were seven (4%) adolescents in 161 cases treated from 1987 to 2018, three underwent TPTX-AG and four had U-LSTPTX. Five are euparathyroid, one had mild recurrence, and one required a reoperation after 8 years due to the residual gland.Conclusions: Young patients are the most frequent candidates to parathyroidectomy. Less extensive procedures may be planned only if carefully reviewed preoperative imaging studies suggest a localized disease. Patients and their relatives should be fully informed of the risks and benefits during consent process. Future research with larger cohorts and long-term results are necessary to clarify if less than I-LSPTX or unilateral clearance are really adequate in selected groups of patients with HPT/MEN1 presenting lower volume of disease detected by preoperative imaging studies.

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There is skip metastasis in MTC. It is unsafe to use the lymph node status of the central compartment of the neck to define the pN status of the lateral neck. A lymph node greater than 15 mm in diameter is related to pN status.