[Tertiary hyperparathyroidism following kidney transplants in man treated by parathyroidectomy and parathyroid autografts. A report on 8 cases (author's transl)]

Abstract

Hyperparathyroidism developed in 8 of 76 patients two months to 4 years after functional Kidney transplants, the most constant manifestation being a hypercalcemia. Raised PTH levels were present in all 7 patients in whom they were measured. The 8 patients were treated by total parathyroidectomy, followed in 7 cases by an autograft of a parathyroid fragment into the muscle off one forearm, according to the technique described by wells. Blood calcium levels became normal in all cases after one month. PTH levels also returned to normal except in one case where rejection of the Kidney graft caused a reduction in renal function. Comparing PTH levels in the venous blood on the side of the autograft with that on the opposite side demonstrated that the parathyroid graft was actively secreting.