Ultrasonically guided percutaneous inactivation of parathyroid tumours

Four patients with hyperparathyroidism and one parathyroid tumour detected ultrasonically were treated by ultrasonically guided percutaneous injection of ethanol (96%) into the tumour. Normocalcaemia was achieved for a follow-up of 10 months in one patient and of 3 months in another. One patient had a lowered serum calcium level for a follow-up of 5 months. One patient showed no clinical response to treatment but was subsequently shown to have multiglandular involvement at surgical exploration. Ultrasonically guided percutaneous inactivation of solitary parathyroid tumours as an alternative to surgery is discussed.