Secondary hyperparathyroidism: pathophysiology, histopathology, and medical and surgical management

It is generally accepted that morphological changes of the parathyroid glands appear early in renal failure. When diffuse hyperplasia develops into a nodular type, the cells grow monoclonally and proliferate aggressively, with abnormal suppression of parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion under high extracellular calcium. Based on histopathological and pathophysiological findings, patients with nodular hyperplasia in renal hyperparathyroidism might be refractory to medical treatment, including calcitriol pulse therapy. Thus, parathyroid surgery is indicated for individuals developing hypercalcemia, elevated PTH levels, and/or bone disease, who cannot be effectively treated medically. The detection of enlarged parathyroid glands by image diagnosis is another criterion for surgery. In our experience, parathyroidectomy is an effective treatment; however, the timing of the operation is important, because skeletal deformity and vessel calcification cannot be expected to diminish even after successful surgery. Technically, it is important to identify all parathyroid glands and, in autotransplantation, to use an adequate amount of suitable tissue, namely, a diffuse type of hyperplastic tissue, to guarantee satisfactory postoperative function.