Secondary Hyperparathyroidism

  • Secondary hyperparathyroidism:
    • Is overproduction of parathyroid hormone (PTH):
      • Due to a nonparathyroid cause:
        • Usually a result of renal failure
    • Renal failure decreases the production of 1,25(OH)2 D3:
      • Impairing intestinal absorption of calcium:
        • Leading to hypocalcemia:
          • Which increases PTH secretion by the parathyroid glands:
            • Leading to diffuse or nodular hyperplasia
    • Hyperphosphatemia:
      • From decreased renal excretion also contributes to PTH secretion:
        • The resulting calcium level is low or normal
    • Less common causes of secondary hyperparathyroidism include:
      • Osteomalacia
      • Long-term lithium therapy
      • Vitamin D deficiency
      • Malabsorption syndromes
      • Secondary hyperparathyroidism has beenv increasingly described following bariatric surgery:
        • Most commonly Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and duodenal switch:
          • Due to prolonged vitamin D deficiency:
            • It occurs despite vitamin D replacement
  • The pathophysiology of secondary hyperparathyroidism:
    • Is multifactorial and can result from:
      • Phosphorous retention
      • Altered vitamin D metabolism and resistance
      • Altered metabolism of PTH
      • Impaired calcemic response to PTH
      • Possible genetic mutations
  • The condition most commonly occurs in patients:
    • With a history of chronic renal failure
  • Gastric bypass:
    • Has also been an increasingly recognized cause of altered vitamin D metabolism
  • Patients will commonly have:
    • An elevated PTH level and normal or low serum calcium:
      • In such a setting, vitamin D levels should be measured:
        • If low, treated for a minimum of 6 weeks with supplemental vitamin D
  • Secondary hyperparathyroidism:
    • Is most commonly managed medically with the use of:
      • Calcimimetic agents:
        • For example cinacalcet
      • Phosphate binders
      • Adequate calcium intake
      • Vitamin D replacement
  • Cinacalcet:
    • Works by binding the calcium-sensing receptors on the chief cells of the parathyroid gland:
      • Increasing its sensitivity to extracellular calcium
  • Surgical treatment is indicated in patients with:
    • Renal osteodystrophy
    • Calciphylaxis:
      • Calciphylaxis is a rare complication of secondary hyperparathyroidism resulting in acute deposition of calcium in tissues and skin necrosis:
        • That may lead to a systemic inflammatory response:
          • It is associated with a high rate of mortality (87 to 93%)
      • Calcium phosphate product of ≥ 70
      • Soft tissue calcium deposition and tumoral calcinosis
      • Calcium level greater than 11 mg/dL with an inappropriately high level of PTH
  • Renal osteodystrophy:
    • Is a major issue in hemodialysis patients:
      • The aluminum present in the dialysate bath:
        • Accumulates in the bone:
          • Contributes to the development of osteomalacia
  • Osteitis fibrosa cystica:
    • A type of renal osteodystrophy:
      • Is characterized by marrow fibrosis and increased bone turnover
    • Bone cysts, osteopenia, and decreased bone strength develop
    • To halt the progression of this disease process:
      • These patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism are treated surgically
  • Calciphylaxis:
    • Is a rare vascular disorder:
      • In which calcium is deposited in the media of small- to medium-sized arteries
        • As a result, ischemic damage:
          • To the dermal and epidermal structures develops
    • The ulcerated lesions:
      • Are extremely painful and can become infected with subsequent sepsis, and eventually death
    • Patients with early signs of calciphylaxis:
      • Should undergo an urgent parathyroidectomy:
        • Although there is some evidence that aggressive management of serum calcium and parathyroid levels:
          • With cinacalcet may be beneficial
    • Care should be taken in wound care management:
      • Because aggressive debridement can lead to chronic nonhealing wounds:
        • Since wound healing is very poor in these patients
  • Uremic pruritus:
    • Is characterized by severe itching:
      • That is thought to result from increased deposition of calcium salt in the dermis:
        • Without the visible lesions of calciphylaxis
    • Parathyroidectomy:
      • Seems to alleviate these symptoms and halts progression to the more serious skin and vascular complications seen with calciphylaxis
 (a) Patient with chronic renal failure and calciphylaxis of the lower extremities. Lesions are superficial
erosions with islands of intervening granulation tissue and areas of eschar. The surrounding skin was
violaceous and very tender to palpation (b). Characteristic histologic findings in calciphylaxis.
Photomicrograph (original magnification × 400) showing three blood vessels with surrounding
mineralization, indicated by arrows. 

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