Factors contributing to negative parathyroid localization: an analysis of 1000 patients.

Background: Localizing studies are the key for determining the optimal surgical strategy in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (HP). Most of the data in the literature are retrospective in nature and from analysis on a per patient basis. This is a prospective study looking at the characteristics of the patient and the gland that determine the likelihood of an abnormal parathyroid to be detected by ultrasonography (US) and sestamibi scan (MIBI).

Increased prevalence of breast cancer among patients with thyroid and parathyroid disease.

Background: A breast cancer (BC) history was elicited more frequently than expected among thyroid operation patients, which prompted an investigation of risks for concurrent or subsequent nonendocrine malignancies.

Methods: Of 94,939 patients at a tertiary referral center with breast, thyroid, or parathyroid disease from 2000 to 2006, those patients with more than one tumor type were identified. Rates of BC, thyroid cancer (TC), hyperparathyroidism (HPT), and multiple diagnoses were compared with matched populations using Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) data.

Use of surgeon-performed office ultrasound and parathyroid fine needle aspiration for complex parathyroid localization.

Background: This study investigates the utility of ultrasound guided parathyroid fine needle aspiration (FNA) as a localizing technique in patients with hyperparathyroidism (HPT) undergoing re-operative neck surgery or with unusually appearing or ectopically located glands.

Methods: Selected patients with HPT underwent surgeon-performed FNA with ultrasound guidance. Aspirate contents were sent for cytology and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels.

Increasing physician impact on the prevention of domestic violence.

Physicians in their professional organizations have recognized the tremendous toll of domestic violence on the safety and health of their patients. Effective integration of screening and referral into routine practice has encountered many significant barriers, primarily the syndrome of compassion fatigue. This article describes how physicians can enhance the safety of families.