Clinical spectrum of primary hyperparathyroidism

OBJECTIVE: Primary hyperparathyroidism (1HPT) is now being diagnosed with increasing frequency. Simultaneously there has been an apparent change in the presentation of the disease and indications for surgery. The aim of this study was to examine the clinical presentation, indications for surgery, and outcomes of neck explorations for primary hyperparathyroidism.

METHODS: This study was carried out over a 12 year period, January 1990 to April 2002 at Jordan University Hospital, Amman, Jordan. Information on the indications, procedure performed, pathology and complications of all neck explorations for 1HPT was obtained from a retrospective thyroid/parathyroid surgical database. A minimum of 12 months follow-up was required in order to determine outcome of surgery.

RESULTS: Out of 40 patients diagnosed with primary hyperparathyroidism at Jordan University Hospital, Amman, over 12 years, 14 patients (35%) diagnosed 4 years after the onset of their disease. Severe bone disease was the main indication for surgery in 28 patients; 5 patients with fractured bones, 2 patients with bone cysts, 3 patients with brown tumors and severe osteoporosis and backache in 22 patients; renal calculi in 10 patients; muscle ache and weakness in 14 patients; acute pancreatitis in one patient and asymptomatic HPT following biochemical screening in one patient. Two patients continued to have persistent hypercalcemia after the first operation; one of them has been cured by reoperation for an ectopic parathyroid in the anterior mediastinum resulting in an overall cure rate of 97.5%.

CONCLUSION: This study showed that severe bone disease with fractures, bone cysts and brown tumors are still the most common presentation of primary hyperparathyroidism in Jordan; this is most likely due to delay in diagnosis and initiation of treatment. It is important to screen for hyperparathyroidism in high risk patients and to refer these patients to specialized centers for proper management.