Intrafollicular amyloid in primary hyperparathyroidism

The histology of the parathyroids from 88 cases of primary hyperparathyroidism has been reviewed in a search for local amyloid deposits. Characteristic intrafollicular amyloid deposits of varying extent were found in nine cases. The case histories of these show that seven had suspected or proven pluriglandular adenomatosis but that the remainder had no such associations. The material studied shows no correlation with systemic primary or secondary amyloidosis. The significance of these findings is discussed in relation to the pluriglandular syndrome, peptide hormones, medullary carcinoma of the thyroid, and calcitonin secretion. It is suggested that amyloid in this context may be a ;marker' for secretion of a peptide closely related to calcitonin.