[Lipid levels of epithelial cells and parathyroid activity. Preliminary study of 30 patients]

During surgical cervical exploration of 30 patients with hyperparathyroidism (primary or secondary) 67 specimens have been collected: 22 adenomas, 2 glands of primary hyperplasia and 28 glands of secondary hyperplasia (in 7 patients). Fat content of parenchymal cells has been studied using Oil Red O stain on cryostat cut sections: this content is very low in hyperactive lands (adenomas, primary or secondary hyperplasias) and high in normal or suppressed glands, even enlarged. There is no correlation between parenchymal fat and stromal fat. Practical and theoretical implications of these results are discussed.