[Primary hyperparathyroidism: diagnosis and management]

Abstract

The prevalence of primary hyperparathyroidism (HPT) varies between 1 and 4/1.000 in the general population. HPT is nowadays most often asymptomatic. The classical bone disease has been replaced by osteopenia or osteoporosis with a preferential bone loss in cortical sites. The incidence of nephrolithiasis has been considerably lowered, but renal lithiasis is still the most frequent complication of HPT. The diagnosis is most often made by chance or during the workup of an abnormal bone mass. Hypercalcemia and an elevated PTH concentration, or at least a PTH level in the upper part of the normal range, generally point to a diagnosis of HPT. Additional tests include an evaluation of renal function, vitamin D measurement, determination of 24-hour urinary calcium and bone densitometry. Besides symptomatic HPT, classical recommendations for surgery include age less than 50, serum Ca at least 1 mg/dl above the upper limit of normal, creatinine clearance < 60 ml/min and osteoporosis. Surgical referral will, however, take into account patient age and comorbidities, as well as patient preferences. In the hands of an experienced surgeon, the success rate of parathyroidectomy is 95-98% and the rate of permanent complications is 1-3%. Parathyroid scintigraphy is the best preoperative localization technique of the adenoma. When surgery is contraindicated or refused by the patient, bisphosphonates or cinacalcet can be indicated in cases of osteoporosis or clinically significant hypercalcemia, respectively.