Less Invasive Parathyroid Surgery
New technology is allowing parathyroid surgery to be done safely with smaller incisions. People with enlarged, overactive glands secrete too much parathyroid hormone and may need the gland removed. Instead of a scar from one side of the neck to the other, the surgery may be performed through a tiny incision, making this an outpatient procedure and reducing the danger of damaging the adjacent nerves of the voice box, says UAB otolaryngologist Glenn E. Peters, M.D. "New treatment options are possible because we now have two new tests: the technetium-99m sestamibi nuclear medicine scan to get a 3-D picture of the overactive tissue before surgery, and the intact parathyroid hormone assay that confirms successful excision before the patient leaves the O.R."
Contact Hank Black, Media Relations, 205-934-8938 or [email protected].
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