[Parathyroidectomy and autotransplantation in renal hyperparathyroidism. I. Morphologic studies for tissue selection]

During total parathyroidectomy and autotransplantation 140 enlarged glands were removed in 35 hemodialyzed patients (normocalcemic: n = 14; hypercalcemic: n = 21). The cross-sections of all glands were classified intraoperatively. Diffuse hyperplastic (type 1) and nodular hyperplastic (type 2) glands could be distinguished. Using a stereo-magnifier (magnification: x 10 -x 16), type 1a- (stromal fat cells!) and type 1b- glands (without stromal fat cells!) could be differentiated. Those areas were also found between the nodules of type 2-glands. Significantly, nodular hyperplastic glands predominated in hypercalcemic patients (chi 2-Test: p less than 0.001). The colour of the nodules on the cross-sections of type 2-glands correlated with the predominating cell type ("dark": nodule of oxyphile cells; "medium": nodule of chief cells; "light": nodule of 'degenerating' oxyphile cells). As sign of proliferation the mitotic index was elevated (greater than 1:10,000) in type 1b-glands, in type 1b-like areas and in nodules of type 2-glands. These areas should not be used for autotransplantation.