We describe a modification to a commercially available immunoradiometric assay which reduces the turnaround time for parathyroid hormone (PTH) measurement to 1 h and permits intraoperative monitoring during parathyroidectomy. Alterations in PTH concentrations following removal of parathyroid tissue are compared with those of calcium, ionised calcium and phosphate. PTH measurements obtained intraoperatively permit definitive conclusions about the success of the operation within 1 h of sampling, allowing re-exploitation of the gland to take place immediately if necessary
StevensonJCLynneKA. Time to end a conservative treatment for mild hyperparathyroidism. Br Med J1988; 296: 1016–7.
2.
WanCA. Surgical management of primary hyperparathyroidism. In: RavtichMM, ed. Current Problems in Surgery, vol 22. Chicago: Year Book Medical Publishers, 1985: 1–50.
3.
‘N-tact’ PTH IRMA.Technical Information Sheet. Incstar Corporation Stillwater, Minnesota 55082 USA.
4.
NewmanDJAshbyJP. Clinical and laboratory evaluation of a two-site immunoradiometric assay for intact parathyroid hormone. Ann Clin Biochem1988; 25: 654–60.
5.
NussbaumSTThompsonARHutchesonKAGazRDWangC.Intraoperative measurement of parathyroid hormone in the surgical management of hyperparathyroidism. Surgery1988; 104: 1121–7.
6.
MartinKJHruskaKAFreitagIJKlahrSSlatapolskyE.The peripheral metabolism of parathyroid hormone. N Engl J Med1979; 301: 1092–8.
7.
BrasierARWangCANussbaumSR. Recovery of parathyroid hormone secretion after parathyroid adenomectomy. J Clin Endocrinol Metab1988; 66: 495–500.
8.
RatcliffeWAHeathDARyanMJonesSR. Performance and diagnostic application of a two-site immunoradiometric assay for parathyrin in serum. Clin Chem1989; 35: 1957–61.
