The parathyroid glands are small glands, approximately 2-4 mm in size, which are next to the thyroid. These glands are extremely important because they regulate calcium metabolism. The hormone they produce helps to absorb calcium from the diet and keep the bones perfectly calcified.
The parathyroid glands can become diseased. Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) usually occurs. This is a disease due to an excess of circulating parathyroid hormone (PTH) produced by a tumor or diffuse growth. This excess hormone produced causes the bones to become decalcified and calcium to circulate in the blood.
Usually this disease does not give any recognizable or specific symptoms, although patients may present headache, irritability, osteoarticular pains, even a nephritic colic, osteoporosis… as most of them are women, these symptoms are attributed to menopause.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of parathyroid diseases is simple, it is usually done with a good interview and a routine analysis, which shows an elevation of calcium in the blood and PTH. Once we have these two analytical parameters, a cervical ultrasound and a cervical scintigraphy (SPECT-MIBI) should be requested to confirm the diagnosis and to locate the problematic gland. If this fails to locate the problem gland, other tests such as MRI or cervical CT can be performed.
When we have a diagnosis of PTH, the most definitive treatment is to operate. The diseased parathyroid or parathyroids are removed and the problem is solved.
Minimal visible scars
The procedure to remove the parathyroid glands does leave visible scars, but they are minimal. We perform the procedure using the Minimal Incision Necessary for Parathyroidectomy (MINP) technique or cervical endoscopy. To perform these approaches we use microsurgical goggles and the latest generation of endoscopic support.
The approach to the parathyroid glands is still performed in most of the world with an incision of 4 to 6cm centered in the neck. What we do is make a mini-incision of 1.5cm or several incisions of less than 1cm and through that we remove the tumor or the diseased parathyroid gland. These are very small incisions that do not leave any unsightly scars. When the diseased parathyroid is removed, the patient is cured.