[Recurrence of hyperparathyroidism following a parathyroid autograft. Hyperplasia or carcinoma?]

The authors report a case in which hyperparathyroidism recurred after total parathyroidectomy and autogenous parathyroid graft into the fore-arm musculature, in a patient with chronic renal failure. Light and electron microscopic studies of the grafted tissue show a severe, nodular hyperplasia. This case report illustrates the rapid "tumour-like" growth of the hyperplastic parathyroid grafted tissue; according to some authors, the hyperplastic parathyroid tissue displays an increased propensity to become malignant.