Surgical aspects of MEN I syndrome

Multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) Type I syndrome is a rare tumor of unknown etiology with a prevalence of 0.02 to 0.2 per 1000. Some of the tumors associated with MEN I include pituitary adenomas, parathyroid adenomas, hyperplastic tissue, and pancreatic B and non-B islet cell tumors. The clinical presentation is usually secondary to the specific hyperfunction characteristic of the different endocrine glands. Hyperparathyroidism and hypercalcemia precede all other manifestations in the majority of cases. Surgery plays a major role in management, and the condition should be considered when a tumor is diagnosed along the endocrine axis of glands, especially in hyperparathyroid patients.