[A symptomatic parathyroid adenoma. Value of parathyroid hormone determination through selective catheterization of...

A parathyroid adenoma is reported in a girl aged 12 years in whom hypercalcaemia was discovered by chance. Investigation of calcium metabolism suggested the diagnosis of hyperparathyroidism and studies of the urinary cyclic AMP and determination of the plasma parathyroid hormone concentration further added to the evidence. The diagnosis of parathyroid adenoma was made after determination of the parathyroid hormone concentration at various sights during selective catheterization of the tyroid veins. This was confirmed at surgery. In this patient the place of catheterization of the inferior thyroid veins in the early diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism is discussed.