[Increased bone mineral density in patients with tertiary hyperparathyroidism after total parathyroidectomy and autotransplantation of the parathyroid gland]

Introduction: Changes in bone metabolism and bone mineral density are observed in renal transplant patients with tertiary hyperparathyroidism. The objective of this work was to analyse the increase in bone mineral density, as well the laboratory results, after total parathyroidectomy and autotransplantation in renal transplant patients with tertiary hyperparathyroidism.

Material and methods: A retrospective study was conducted in which the bone mineral density values at femoral and lumbar level were analysed, together with the serum levels of calcium, phosphorous, parathyroid hormone (PTH), and alkaline phosphatase in 13 renal transplant patients with tertiary hyperparathyroidism before and after total parathyroidectomy and autotransplantation of the parathyroid glands.

Results: Parathyroidectomy is associated with an increase in bone mineral density at femoral and lumbar level, with an increase of 8.6 ± 6.7% at lumbar level, and 4 ± 16.1% at femoral level. The decrease in calcium after the parathyroidectomy was 2.8 mg/dL (95% CI; 1.9-4). The decrease in PTH was 172 pg/mL (95% CI; 98-354) and the decrease in alkaline phosphatase was 229 U/L (95% CI; 70-371).

Conclusions: Total parathyroidectomy and autotransplantation of the parathyroid glands in renal transplant patients with tertiary hyperparathyroidism increases the bone mineral density. Furthermore, the calcium, PTH and alkaline phosphatase returned to normal in the long-term.