[Primary hyperparathyroidism]

Primary hyperparathyroidism is frequently an incidental finding in asymptomatic patients. Often the diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism is made in evaluation for osteoporosis, rarely in the context of hypercalcemic crisis, myopathy, kidney stones, nephrocalcinosis, and osteitis fibrosa. The most frequent cause for primary hyperparathyroidism is benign parathyroid adenoma, reminders have hyperplasia. Primary hyperparathyroidism is defined as hypercalcemia with inappropriately high parathyroid hormone levels. Surgery is the definitive treatment for patients with symptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism and asymptomatic patients, who meet one of the following criteria: serum calcium>0.25 mmol/L (1.0 mg/dl) above the accepted normal reference range, renal failure (GFR<60 ml/min) and presence of osteoporosis (T-score<-2.5 or fracture). Parathyroidectomy should be performed by an experienced surgeon. As an alternative in inoperable patients or preoperatively in severe hypercalcemia cinacalcet successfully reduces calcium levels. In asymptomatic patients not meeting the above mentioned criteria serum calcium and creatinin levels should be measured once a year and DXA every two years, since 30% of the patients with asymptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism are progressive.