Primary Hyperparathyroidism

Primary hyperparathyroidism is defined. Key components of the diagnostic work-up including symptoms, family history, laboratory examination, and imaging techniques are reviewed. Indications for surgery, including a discussion of the latest guidelines, are emphasized. Controversies such as when to operate on asymptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism are discussed. This review contains 4 figures, 1 table, and 29 references. Key Words: hypercalcemia, hypercalcemic crisis, intraoperative parathyroid hormone monitoring, multiple endocrine neoplasia, normocalcemic primary hyperparathyroidism, parathyroid adenoma, parathyroid hyperplasia, primary hyperparathyroidism, sestamibi scan