Trial Information

Studies of Hyperparathyroidism and Related Disorders

Patients with confirmed or suspected primary hyperparathyroidism or complications therefrom
(such as postoperative hypoparathyroidism) will be admitted for diagnosis and treatment. The
principal diagnostic components are calcium in serum and urine and parathyroid hormone in
serum. Patients with moderately to highly severe primary hyperparathyroidism will be
treated. Treatment will be mainly by parathyroidectomy. Other options are medications or no
intervention. Patients with a hyperparathyroid syndrome may be managed for their
extraparathyroid features. Preoperative testing to localize parathyroid neoplasm(s) will be
used usually and with more extended methods in cases with prior neck surgery. Preoperative
tumor localization tests will be selected according to clinical indications from the
following: ultrasound, technetium-thallium scan, computerized tomography, magnetic resonance
imaging, fine needle aspiration for parathyroid hormone assay, selective arteriogram,
selective venous catheterization for parathyroid hormone assay. Options for management of
postoperative hypocalcemia include calcium, vitamin D analogs, parathyroid autografts and
synthetic parathyroid hormone. Research specimens may consist of blood or tumors.