Soft Tissue Neck: Parathyroid adenoma

What is parathyroid adenoma?

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Parathyroid adenoma is a benign tumor of the parathyroid glands, which are located in the neck.  Women over 60 are most likely to have parathyroid adenoma or also individuals with great radiation does to their head or neck can also develop parathyroid adenoma.  Parathyroid adenoma is due to a genetic problem and the most common is hyperparathyroidism.  The parathyroid glands in an individual's neck produce parathyroid hormone (PTH), which control calcium, Vitatmin D, and phosphorus levels within the blood and bone of the individual.  


Symptoms

Some patients may not have any symptoms and parathyroid adenoma maybe diagnosed accidentally after a routine blood test.  If a patient does have symptoms so of those may include:

• 
  Bone fractures
• Confusion
• Constipation
• 
  Kidney stones
• Lethargy
• Muscle pain
• Nausea
   (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002170/)

Tests and Treatments

CT image - endocrinesurgeon.co.uk

Blood tests are most commonly done to check the levels of parathyroid hormone, and urine tests are done to check for increased calcium in the urine.  Other tests consist of MRI of the neck, US of neck or kidneys, Bone density exam, or  CT of kidneys.  As far as treatments, surgery is the most common type unless you have hyperparathyroidism then you would have check-ups with your doctor.




More information regarding parathyroid adenoma can be found at:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002170/

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