Parathyroid gland pathology is the study of pathology that happens to the parathyroid gland.
What is Hyperparathyroidism?
Hyperparathyroidism is a disease caused by over secretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH). Inappropriately elevated parathyroid hormone level, may cause hypercalcemia. Hyperparathyroidism is classified as primary, secondary and tertiary.
What is Primary Hyperparathyroidism?
Primary hyperparathyroidism is a condition caused by over secretion of PTH.
What is Parathyroid Hyperplasia?
Parathyroid hyperplasia is an increase of the number of cells in one or more parathyroid glands. Parathyroid hyperplasia may be diffuse or nodular.
What is a Parathyroid Adenoma?
A parathyroid adenoma is the main cause of primary hyperparathyroidism, present in about 90% of the primary-form cases.
What is Parathyroid Carcinoma?
A parathyroid carcinoma is a malignant parathyroid lesions.
What is Secondary Hyperparathyroidism?
Secondary hyperparathyroidism is a condition in which parathyroid levels are high due to tissues not responding to parathyroid hormone or malignancies.
Conditions that cause secondary hyperparathyroidism include:
- Severe calcium deficiency
- Severe vitamin D deficiency
- Chronic kidney failure
What is Tertiary Hyperparathyroidism?
Tertiary hyperparathyroidism is an excessive production of parathyroid hormone that does not respond to feedback controls.
What is Hypoparathyroidism?
Hypoparathyroidism is low parathyroid hormone. This may cause hypocalcemia, hyperphosphatemia, and increased neuromuscular irritability. Patients may present with myalgias, muscle spasms, and tetany.
Causes of hypoparathyroidism include:
- Iatrogenic (surgery, thyroid surgery) related hypoparathyroidism
- Autoimmune related hypoparathyroidism
- Genetic related hypoparathyroidism
What are the Signs Associated with Hypoparathyroidism?
The signs associated with hypoparathyroidism include:
- Chovstek sign
- Trousseau sign
What is the Chovstek sign?
Chvostek sign is facial twitching.
What is the Trousseau sign?
The Trousseau sign is observed in patients with low calcium which shows hand and forearm spasms after a blood pressure cuff is used.
What is Pseudohypoparathyroidism?
Pseudohypoparathyroidism is a group of rare endocrine disorders characterized by normal renal function and resistance to the action of parathyroid hormone.
