Radiofrequency Ablation of Parathyroid Adenoma: Results of a Retrospective Analysis of 60 Patients

To present the effectiveness and safety of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in parathyroid adenoma (PTA).

In this retrospective study, 60 patients with a single PTA were evaluated for changes in biochemical and ultrasonographic features up to 6 months after RFA of the lesion. Adenomas were ablated with an alternative technique so called “Nik jet dissection” which incorporates full hydrodissection and polar artery coagulation. Complications as well as the variations in biochemical data and nodule volumes were analyzed between baseline measurements and at each follow-up interval data (first day, 1, 3, and 6 months after ablation) were analyzed.

A significant reduction in serum intact parathyroid hormone and calcium levels was observed 6 months after ablation, with a mean difference of − 83.4 ± 104.1 pg/mL, p < 0.001, and − 0.29 ± 0.22 mmol/L, p < 0.001, respectively. Serum phosphorus levels increased significantly with a mean difference of 0.09 ± 0.19 mmol/L, p = 0.040 at the end of the follow up. We observed a significant volume reduction rate of parathyroid adenomas with 89 ± 20.8 percent, p < 0.001. Also, 51% of adenomas disappeared at the end of the follow up. In this study, two cases of hematoma and one case of transient hoarseness (grade 1 of the CIRSE classification) were encountered.

Our study showed that RFA with the alternative technique, called “Nik jet dissection” is a safe and effective modality in management of PTA. Therefore, we suggest expanding the indications for RFA in PTA management, especially when surgery is not feasible.

Level 3, Local non-random sample.