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Fine Needle Biopsy and Ethanol Ablation for Hyperparathyroidism?

Posted by daisy17 @daisy17, 19 hours ago

Wondering if anyone with hyperparathyroidism has had a Fine Needle Biopsy of their overactive gland and adenoma, followed by an Ethanol Ablation of the adenoma instead of surgery?

I have unsuccessful hyperparathyroid surgery because the surgeon could not find the bad gland. I went to a different medical facility for treatment and they performed a special ultrasound which found what appears to be a PHT gland with a adenoma. However, due to two previous neck surgeries for my thyroid and parathyroid, a third neck surgery is not recommended.

Instead of surgery to remove the adenoma, my endocrinologist suggested a Fine Needle Biopsy to confirm the ultrasound findings are indeed a parathyroid adenoma. If so, an Ethanol Ablation could be performed to get rid of the adenoma and leave the parathyroid gland intact.

Has anyone had either of these procedures done? If so, what was your experience and did the ablation get rid of the adenoma and cure your elevated PHT and calcium blood levels? Also, did you have any negative results from either of these procedures?

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riflemanz64 | @riflemanz64 | 5 hours ago

I would not let another incompetent surgeon operate on you again. This is why people go to the Norman Parathyroid Hospital in Tampa Florida. They the top expert surgeons in the nation. My wife went there for her surgery and it was fantastic!
www. Parathyroid.com
Watch you tube videos. Run away from your doctors as fast as you can.

REPLY
lalaj | @lalaj | 1 hour ago

Hello, I am in a similar situation. However, in addition to two parathyroidectomies, I have a paralyzed laryngeal nerve from the last surgery. I have spoken to Norman Parathyroid Center, and they said a third surgery is not out of the question. There are other high volume clinic in the US, too. One is at the University of Wisconsin. A surgeon there, according to someone who went to her serves mostly patients who are difficult to operate on due to internal scar tissue, etc. And, I think there is a clinic in Arizona run by a woman who used to be a surgeon at Norman. From what I am learning the higher the volume of surgeries performed by a surgeon the better.

I asked my Endo about radio frequency ablation, which I think may be the same thing you are referring to. She was not enthusiastic and in fact said it wasn't used for hyperparathyroidism, but AI says it can be. And this is what google AI says: "Reduced risks compared to repeat surgery: Repeat parathyroid surgery carries an increased risk of complications such as recurrent laryngeal nerve injury and hypoparathyroidism due to scar tissue formation. RFA, with techniques like hydrodissection to protect surrounding structures, may potentially lower these risks." However, rarely, RFA can also damage laryngeal nerves. I have not given up on that solution.

Just FYI there are two facebook groups that discuss hyperparathyroidism. The folks in the groups mostly have had surgery or will soon. You might ask there about radiofrequency ablation, in fact I hadn't thought of doing that before this (I had just asked about surgery), but I think i will ask today. Good luck to you. I hope all works out for the best.

REPLY
1 reply
lalaj | @lalaj | 1 hour ago
In reply to @lalaj "Hello, I am in a similar situation. However, in addition to two parathyroidectomies, I have a..." + (show)
@lalaj

Hello, I am in a similar situation. However, in addition to two parathyroidectomies, I have a paralyzed laryngeal nerve from the last surgery. I have spoken to Norman Parathyroid Center, and they said a third surgery is not out of the question. There are other high volume clinic in the US, too. One is at the University of Wisconsin. A surgeon there, according to someone who went to her serves mostly patients who are difficult to operate on due to internal scar tissue, etc. And, I think there is a clinic in Arizona run by a woman who used to be a surgeon at Norman. From what I am learning the higher the volume of surgeries performed by a surgeon the better.

I asked my Endo about radio frequency ablation, which I think may be the same thing you are referring to. She was not enthusiastic and in fact said it wasn't used for hyperparathyroidism, but AI says it can be. And this is what google AI says: "Reduced risks compared to repeat surgery: Repeat parathyroid surgery carries an increased risk of complications such as recurrent laryngeal nerve injury and hypoparathyroidism due to scar tissue formation. RFA, with techniques like hydrodissection to protect surrounding structures, may potentially lower these risks." However, rarely, RFA can also damage laryngeal nerves. I have not given up on that solution.

Just FYI there are two facebook groups that discuss hyperparathyroidism. The folks in the groups mostly have had surgery or will soon. You might ask there about radiofrequency ablation, in fact I hadn't thought of doing that before this (I had just asked about surgery), but I think i will ask today. Good luck to you. I hope all works out for the best.

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I just looked up ethanol ablation as opposed to RFA and they are different but similar with the same type of results. So, thanks to you I have learned about another possible alternative to surgery. Here is what google AI suggests as important considerations regarding the procedure:
"Important considerations:
Effectiveness and Recurrence: While promising, studies show variable success rates, with some indicating high recurrence rates of hypercalcemia within months or years of treatment.
Complications: Risks include potential damage to surrounding structures, such as the recurrent laryngeal nerve, potentially causing voice changes or vocal cord paralysis.
Suitability: Parathyroidectomy (surgical removal of the gland) is generally considered the preferred and more consistently successful treatment for PHPTH. Ethanol ablation may be considered for patients who are not suitable surgical candidates or have recurrent disease after previous surgery, especially in conditions like multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1). "

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