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The utility of routine transcervical thymectomy for multiple endocrine neoplasia 1-related hyperparathyroidism
Anathea C Powell1, H Richard Alexander, James F Pingpank
1Tumor Angiogenesis Section, Surgery Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA.
Background:
Operation for multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN)1-related hyperparathyroidism (HPT) includes a neck exploration with resection of 3.5 or 4 parathyroid glands and transcervical thymectomy (TCT). We reviewed our experience with initial operation for primary HPT to determine the outcome and utility of routine TCT.
Methods:
All patients with MEN1 who underwent initial neck exploration from 1993 to 2007 under an institutional review board-approved protocol were reviewed.
Results:
We identified 66 patients with initial operation for HPT in MEN1. In 34 patients, 4 glands were found; in 32 patients, <4 glands were found. In 2 of the 34 (6%) and 17 of the 32 (53%), intrathymic parathyroid tissue was found on permanent pathology. No thymic carcinoid tissue was found in any specimen.
Conclusion:
These data highlight the importance of performing TCT when <4 entopic parathyroid glands are found at first operation.
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