Vertebral mineralization after parathyroidectomy: measurement by quantitative CT

Department of Radiology, University Hospital, SUNY Health Science Center, Syracuse 13210.

Quantitative CT has been used to document abnormally low levels of vertebral bone mineral in hyperparathyroid states. No one has yet reported an improvement in vertebral bone mineral concentration after parathyroidectomy. Quantitative CT was used to measure mineralization of lumbar vertebral bodies in five women with primary hyperparathyroidism, at the time of surgical resection of a parathyroid adenoma and again 4 months after surgery. Four of the patients had increased vertebral mineralization after 4 months; the increase for the entire group (13%) was statistically significant. In one patient, examined for a third time 8 months after surgery, a continuing increase in vertebral bone mineral concentration was seen. A final examination, obtained 20-33 months after surgery, revealed that in every patient the bone mineral concentration was lower than on the first postoperative study and in some cases was less than the original preoperative measurement. We conclude that a temporary increase in vertebral trabecular mineralization occurs after parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism. During the following 3 years, however, this increase is not sustained.
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