THE PARATHYROID-GLANDS IN MULTIPLE ENDOCRINE NEOPLASIA TYPE-2B

  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 99  (2) , 387-+
Abstract
The histologic features of 21 parathyroid glands obtained from 16 patients, aged 2-52 yr, who had multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2b (MEN 2b) were evaluated. The findings were correlated with the patients'' ages and with the serum concentrations of Ca (15 patients), P (14 patients) and immunoreactive parathyroid hormone (iPTH) (11 patients), and with the response of serum iPTH to Ca infusion (6 patients). The histologic features of 13 parathyroid glands obtained from 8 patients with MEN 2b were studied. The microscopic appearance of the glands was normal in patients under the age of 17; with increased age, the glands did not exhibit normal involution, and an appearance consistent with mild chief-cell hyperplasia was evident. This abnormality was not associated with clinical or laboratory manifestations of hyperparathyroidism. Parathyroidectomy for the disorder is not justified.