Primary hyperparathyroidism---a review of cases in the Sheffield area

73 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism are reviewed. The elevated serum calcium was the main diagnostic index but estimation of the parathyroid hormone was useful confirmatory evidence when raised. A normal level does not exclude the diagnosis being found in 32% of patients. Intravenous methylene blue was a useful adjunct to surgery. 95% of the patients had relief of their hypercalcaemia after a single operation. 78% of patients had stones and there was a marked reduction in further stone formation after surgery.