Clinical Study on Safety and Efficacy of Microwave Ablation for Primary Hyperparathyroidism

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety, feasibility, and efficacy of microwave ablation (MWA) for the treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study enrolled 67 PHPT patients (22 men, 45 women; mean age, 56.0 ± 16.3 years; range, 18–83 years) from January 2015 to December 2018. The laboratory data, including the serum intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), calcium, phosphorus, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels, were evaluated before MWA and again 2 hours, 1 day, 7 days, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, and 24 months after. RESULTS: Complete ablation was achieved with all 72 hyperplastic parathyroid glands found on the 67 patients enrolled, 64 of whom were treated in one session and 3 were treated over two sessions. The technical success rate was 100%. The median follow-up time was 13.6 months (range, 10.0–31.1 months). The clinical success rate was 89.4%. The volume reduction rate was 79.4% at 6 months. Compared to pre-MWA, the serum iPTH, calcium, phosphorus, and ALP levels had significantly improved 6 months post-MWA (iPTH, 157.3 pg/mL vs. 39.2 pg/mL; calcium, 2.75 ± 0.25 mmol/L vs. 2.34 ± 0.15 mmol/L; phosphorus, 0.86 ± 0.20 mmol/L vs. 1.12 ± 0.22 mmol/L; ALP, 79 U/L vs. 54 U/L, respectively; all, p < 0.01). Hoarseness was a major complication in 4 patients (6.0%), but it improved spontaneously within 2–3 months. CONCLUSION: MWA is safe, feasible, and effective for the treatment of PHPT.