[Association between thyroid and parathyroid diseases]

The association between thyroid and parathyroid diseases is well known in the context of MEN, but we find also in nonsyndromic scenarios. In our study, were considered the latter. Between 2003 and 2008 in our Division of General Surgery 61 patients underwent operation for hyperparathyroidism, 13 for primary, 41 secondary and 7 tertiary. Twenty-six of these patients underwent also total thyroidectomy. 31% of our patients with primary hyperparathyroidism had concomitant thyroid disease. In the literature, in this regard, there is a correspondence between the data of various authors (Keus, Masatsugu). The association between IPT and primary thyroid carcinoma is discussed. Of our 41 patients with secondary IPT, 32% had associated thyroid disease (77% for goitre). The literature shows considerable variability in this direction, depending on geographical areas and methods of diagnosis. The thyroid disease associated with tertiary IPT was in all of our cases benign. The association of thyroid and parathyroid disease is therefore relatively common. It follows therefore the importance of careful preoperative evaluation in patients with hyperparathyroidism, in order to avoid a reoperation on the neck, because of higher complication rate.