Regression of calcinosis following treatment with radiofrequency thermoablation for severe secondary hyperparathyroidism in a hemodialysis patient

Intern Med. 2013;52(5):583-7. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.52.8454. Epub 2013 Mar 1.

Abstract

We herein present the case of a 41-year-old man who was misdiagnosed with a recurrent right shoulder tumor and underwent surgery twice. The pathological diagnosis was calcinosis. Secondary hyperparathyroidism was confirmed on further examination and the patient was therefore treated with two sessions of percutaneous ultrasonographically-guided radiofrequency tissue ablation. During the 20-month follow-up, the patient underwent four-hour hemodialysis three times a week. The calcinosis nearly completely resolved, and the PTH level was mildly elevated without the administration of any further medical therapy. Percutaneous ultrasonographically-guided radiofrequency tissue ablation is a feasible, safe and effective nonsurgical alternative treatment for secondary hyperparathyroidism.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Calcinosis / complications
  • Calcinosis / diagnosis
  • Calcinosis / therapy*
  • Catheter Ablation* / methods
  • Humans
  • Hyperparathyroidism, Secondary / complications
  • Hyperparathyroidism, Secondary / diagnosis
  • Hyperparathyroidism, Secondary / therapy*
  • Male
  • Remission Induction / methods
  • Renal Dialysis* / methods
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Shoulder / pathology*
  • Treatment Outcome