Radiofrequency ablation of parathyroid adenoma in primary hyperparathyroidism

We present a case of a 32-year-old woman with hyperparathyroidism, treated with ultrasound-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA). RFA, assisted by saline injection inferomedial to the parathyroid, is a safe technique that prevents burn injury to the nerve. The saline injection technique shifted the parathyroid gland laterally, so that the distance between the nerve and the parathyroid gland was sufficient to prevent burn injury. The completeness of tissue ablation was evaluated based on Doppler ultrasound imaging and serum intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) level immediately after RFA. There were no complications associated with RFA. Serum iPTH levels normalized during follow-up for 20 months. It was possible to perform RFA for primary parathyroid adenoma safely using a saline injection technique.