Parathyroid Disorders

The parathyroid glands, usually four and about the size of a grain of rice, sit behind the thyroid. They regulate calcium and phosphate by secreting parathyroid hormone (PTH). Keeping blood calcium in a narrow range is essential for bone health, nerve conduction, muscle function and the filtering work of the kidneys.

Benign overgrowths (adenomas) or over-activity of the glands can raise blood calcium and PTH to dangerous levels. At eKonsey, our multidisciplinary council of endocrinology, endocrine surgery, nuclear medicine and radiology offers a medical opinion on these metabolic pictures and on adenomas that are hard to locate, including the surgical strategy.

Neck ultrasound, scintigraphy (sestamibi) and four-dimensional neck CT are reviewed for whether they are needed and when. The council considers whether the diseased tissue can be removed through a small incision while protecting normal tissue and the nerves to the voice. Bone mineral density and kidney function are assessed together in the medical opinion.