J Korean Surg Soc.
2000 Aug;59(2):270-274.
Primary Hyperparathyroidism Caused by a Giant Parathyroid Adenoma: A case report
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Surgery, Chonbuk National University College of Medicine.
- 2Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Chonbuk National University College of Medicine.
- 3Department of Pathology, Chonbuk National University College of Medicine.
Abstract
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Primary hyperparathyroidism is a relatively rare disease entity in Korea. It is characterized by severe
skeletal and renal changes due to hypersecretion of parathyroid hormone and rarely shows peptic
ulceration, hypertension, pancreatitis and impaired mentality. Primary hyperparathyroidism is most
commonly caused by an adenoma, or hyperplasia and rarely by cancer of the parathyroid gland. The
authors experienced a case involving a giant parathyroid adenoma in a 62-year-old female. The main
symptoms were general weakness, anorexia, and constipation. We detected the giant parathyroid adenoma
on the anterior neck by using preoperative localization methods, such as ultrasonography, and a
thallium-technetium subtraction scan. A parathyroidectomy was carried out, and the parathyroid adenoma
measured 5.0 cm 3.2 cm in size and 12 gm in weight. Clinical laboratory reports and symptoms were
normalized with no sequelae. We report this case with a review of the literature related to sizes and
weights of adenomas.