Surgical treatment of hyperparathyroidism using the quick parathyroid assay.

The quick intraoperative parathyroid assay (qPTH) has been proposed as an effective tool in the surgical management of hyperparathyroidism. By measuring intact parathyroid hormone intraoperatively, the qPTH assay may facilitate directed exploration for solitary adenomas and may help guide the extent of resection in hyperplasia. In this study, results of the qPTH assay were analyzed prospectively in 63 consecutive patients who underwent exploration for hyperparathyroidism.

A randomized trial of valved vs nonvalved implantable ports for vascular access.

Background: Vascular access devices placed into the central venous system are used routinely in the medical management of many patients. Catheter tip occlusion is a common complication of open-ended catheters, causing difficulty with blood withdrawal and infusion. This study evaluated whether a valved subcutaneous port system would have fewer associated complications than a standard nonvalved port.

Comparison of quick parathyroid assay for uniglandular and multiglandular parathyroid disease.

Background: The quick intraoperative parathyroid assay (qPTH) has been proposed as an effective tool in the surgical management of hyperparathyroidism. This assay may facilitate directed, unilateral exploration for uniglandular disease; however, its role in the management of multiglandular disease remains unclear. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the use of qPTH in parathyroid surgery, and to compare the results for uniglandular and multiglandular disease.

Giant adrenal myelolipoma.

Myelolipoma of the adrenal gland is a benign tumor comprising adipose cells and mature hematopoietic elements. Most of these lesions are small and asymptomatic. Giant myelolipomas weighing greater than 4 kg are quite rare with three other cases reported in the literature.