Living-donor fresh parathyroid tissue allotransplantation as treatment for permanent hypoparathyroidism: case report

Introduction: the standard hypoparathyroidism treatment consists of replacing calcium and active vitamin D (calcitriol), but it does not correct the underlying abnormality, parathyroid hormone (PTH) deficiency. Both the disease and its treatment are responsible for many morbidities that affect multiple organs and systems. Therefore, parathyroid allotransplantation has been described as an alternative treatment option, especially in refractory cases. Objectives: to verify if parathyroid allotransplantation is effective as a treatment for permanent hypoparathyroidism. Methodology: fresh parathyroid tissue was obtained from a 36-year-old male with a past medical history of hyperparathyroidism secondary to end-stage renal disease and immediately implanted in the recipient’s non-dominant forearm, a 57-year-old female with refractory hypoparathyroidism, despite high doses of calcium and calcitriol replacement. Corticosteroid immunosuppression was performed for 10 days. Results: the allograft showed no evidence of functionality eleven months after transplant. The procedure was considered safe. Conclusion: more studies are required to validate this technique and improve its results.

Association between number of parathyroid glands identified during total thyroidectomy and functional parathyroid preservation

Purpose Systematic identification of all 4 parathyroid glands has been recommended during total thyroidectomy (TT); however, it is unclear whether this strategy necessarily translates into optimized functional parathyroid preservation. We wished to investigate the association between number of parathyroids identified intraoperatively during TT, and incidence of incidental parathyroidectomy, and postoperative hypoparathyroidism. Methods Retrospective review of prospectively maintained database of 511 consecutive patients undergoing TT at an academic teaching hospital. The association between number of parathyroid glands identified intraoperatively and incidence of biochemical hypocalcaemia (defined as any calcium < 2 mmol/L n first 48 h after surgery), symptomatic hypocalcaemia; permanent hypoparathyroidism (defined as any hypocalcaemia or need for calcium or vitamin D > 6 months after surgery), and incidental parathyroidectomy, was investigated. The association between number of parathyroid glands visualized and postoperative parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels was investigated in a subset of 454 patients. Results Patients in whom a greater number of parathyroids had been identified had a significantly higher incidence of biochemical and symptomatic hypocalcaemia, and significantly lower postoperative PTH levels, than patients with fewer glands identified. There were no significant differences in incidence of permanent hypoparathyroidism or incidental parathyroidectomy. On multivariate analysis, malignancy, Graves disease, and identification of 3–4 parathyroids were independent predictors of biochemical hypocalcaemia. For symptomatic hypocalcaemia, identification of 2–4 parathyroids, and identification of 3–4 parathyroids, were significant. Conclusions Systematic identification of as many parathyroid glands as possible during TT is not necessary for functional parathyroid preservation.

Extensive bilateral intracranial calcifications and seizure in iatrogenic hypoparathyroidism: A case report

Calcification beyond basal ganglia is rare in postoperative permanent hypoparathyroidism. We report extensive bilateral intracranial calcifications involving basal ganglia, thalamus, cerebellum, and cerebral cortex in a 56-year-old lady who presented with carpopedal spasm, seizure, and severe hypocalcemia after 20 years of near-total thyroidectomy.

Selective Parathyroid Autotransplantation During Total Thyroidectomy for Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: A Cohort Study

Purpose: The relationship between the selective parathyroid gland (PG) autotransplantation and hypoparathyroidism is still not completely clear. The aim was to ascertain whether the number of autotransplanted PGs affected the incidence of hypoparathyroidism and recovery of parathyroid function in the long-term for patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).Methods: A retrospective cohort study included all patients with PTC who had underwent primary total thyroidectomy with central neck dissection between January 2013 and December 2017. The patients were divided into three groups (0, 1, and 2 PGs autotransplanted, respectively).Results: Of the 2,477 patients, 634 (25.6%) received no PG autotransplantation, 1,078 (43.5%) and 765 (30.9%) were autotransplanted 1 and 2 PGs, respectively, and the incidence of permanent hypoparathyroidism (&gt;1 year) was 1.7%, 0.7%, and 0.4% (P = 0.0228). Both 1 or 2 PGs autotransplanted increased the incidence of transient biochemical hypoparathyroidism (odds ratio [OR], 1.567; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.258–1.953; P &lt; 0.0001; OR, 2.983; 95% CI, 2.336–3.810; P &lt; 0.0001, respectively) but reduced the incidence of permanent hypoparathyroidism (OR, 0.373; 95% CI, 0.145–0.958; P = 0.0404; OR, 0.144; 95% CI, 0.037–0.560; P = 0.0052, respectively). Both 1 or 2 PGs autotransplanted did not independently influence the occurrence of hypocalcemia symptoms.Conclusion: Selective parathyroid autotransplantation is less likely to lead to post-operative symptomatic hypocalcemia, although it could lead to a transient decrease in parathyroid hormone. However, in the long run, it is still an effective strategy to preserve parathyroid function.

Duration of Parathyroid Function Recovery in Patients With Protracted Hypoparathyroidism After Total Thyroidectomy for Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

PurposeThe aim of the present study is to investigate the time to recovery of parathyroid function in patients with protracted hypoparathyroidism at 1 month after total thyroidectomy of papillary thyroid carcinoma.Materials and MethodsAdult patients who underwent total thyroidectomy for papillary thyroid cancer were included. Cases of long-term hypoparathyroidism were studied for recovery of parathyroid function during the follow-up. The duration of recovery and associated variables were recorded.ResultsOut of the 964 patients, 128 (13.28%) developed protracted hypoparathyroidism and of these, 23 (2.39%) developed permanent hypoparathyroidism and 105 (10.89%) recovered: 86 (8.92%) before 6 months, 11 (1.14%) within 6 and 12 months and 8 (0.83%) after 1 year follow-up. Variables significantly associated with the time to parathyroid function recovery were number of autotransplanted parathyroid glands (HR, 1.399; 95% CI, 1.060 – 1.846; P = 0.018), serum calcium concentration &gt;2.07 mmol/L (Hazard ratio [HR], 1.628; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.009 – 2.628; P = 0.046) and PTH level &gt; 1.2 pmol/L (HR, 1.702; 95% CI, 1.083 – 2.628; P = 0.021) at 1 month postoperatively.ConclusionPermanent hypoparathyroidism should not be diagnosed easily by time, since up to one-fifth of the patients will experience recovery after a period of 6 months and a few patients even beyond one year. The number of autotransplanted parathyroid glands is positively associated with the time to parathyroid function recovery.

Etiology and Diagnosis of Permanent Hypoparathyroidism after Total Thyroidectomy

Postoperative parathyroid failure is the commonest adverse effect of total thyroidectomy, which is a widely used surgical procedure to treat both benign and malignant thyroid disorders. The present review focuses on the scientific gap and lack of data regarding the time period elapsed between the immediate postoperative period, when hypocalcemia is usually detected by the surgeon, and permanent hypoparathyroidism often seen by an endocrinologist months or years later. Parathyroid failure after thyroidectomy results from a combination of trauma, devascularization, inadvertent resection, and/or autotransplantation, all resulting in an early drop of iPTH (intact parathyroid hormone) requiring replacement therapy with calcium and calcitriol. There is very little or no role for other factors such as vitamin D deficiency, calcitonin, or magnesium. Recovery of the parathyroid function is a dynamic process evolving over months and cannot be predicted on the basis of early serum calcium and iPTH measurements; it depends on the number of parathyroid glands remaining in situ (PGRIS)—not autotransplanted nor inadvertently excised—and on early administration of full-dose replacement therapy to avoid hypocalcemia during the first days/weeks after thyroidectomy.

Post-Operative Permanent Hypoparathyroidism and Preoperative Vitamin D Prophylaxis

Permanent hypoparathyroidism, a feared thyroidectomy complication, leads to significant patient morbidity, medical treatment, and monitoring. This study explores whether preoperative high-dose vitamin D loading decreases the incidence of permanent hypoparathyroidism. In a subgroup analysis, the study examines the predictive utility of day 1 parathyroid hormone (PTH) in permanent hypoparathyroidism. Patients (n = 150) were previously recruited in the VItamin D In Thyroidectomy (VIDIT) trial, a multicentre, randomised, double blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluating the role of 300,000 IU cholecalciferol administered orally a week before total thyroidectomy. Patients were contacted postoperatively beyond six months through a telephonic questionnaire. The primary outcome was permanent hypoparathyroidism, strictly defined as the need for activated vitamin D six months postoperatively. Out of 150 patients, 130 (86.7%) were contactable. Permanent hypoparathyroidism occurred in 11/130 (8.5%) patients, with a lower incidence of 5.3% (3/57) in the cholecalciferol group compared to 11% (8/73) in the placebo group; however, this was non-significant (p = 0.34). In a subgroup analysis, no relationship between day 1 PTH level and the incidence of permanent hypoparathyroidism was found (p ≥ 0.99). There was a lower rate of permanent hypoparathyroidism in the cholecalciferol group, which was not significant. The predictive utility of day 1 postoperative PTH levels may be limited to transient hypoparathyroidism.

Prevalence of basal ganglia and carotid artery calcifications in patients with permanent hypoparathyroidism after total thyroidectomy

Objective: Permanent hypoparathyroidism is an uncommon disease resulting most frequently from neck surgery. It has been associated with visceral calcifications but few studies have specifically this in patients with post-surgical hypoparathyroidism. The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence of basal ganglia and carotid artery calcifications in patients with long-term post-thyroidectomy hypoparathyroidism compared with a control population. Design: Case–control study. Methods: A cross-sectional review comparing 29 consecutive patients with permanent postoperative hypoparathyroidism followed-up in a tertiary reference unit for Endocrine Surgery with a contemporary control group of 501 patients who had an emergency brain CT scan. Clinical variables and prevalence of basal ganglia and carotid artery calcifications were recorded. Results: From a cohort of 46 patients diagnosed with permanent hypoparathyroidism, 29 were included in the study. The mean duration of disease was 9.2 ± 7 years. Age, diabetes, hypertension, smoking and dyslipidemia were similarly distributed in case and control groups. The prevalence of carotid artery and basal ganglia calcifications was 4 and 20 times more frequent in patients with permanent hypoparathyroidism, respectively. After propensity score matching of the 28 the female patients, 68 controls were matched for age and presence of cardiovascular factors. Cases showed a four-fold prevalence of basal ganglia calcifications, whereas that of carotid calcifications was similar between cases and controls. Conclusion: A high prevalence of basal ganglia calcifications was observed in patients with post-surgical permanent hypoparathyroidism. It remains unclear whether carotid artery calcification may also be increased.