Difference between revisions of "Parathyroid glands"

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[[Image:Parathyroid gland high mag.jpg|thumb|right|280px|[[Micrograph]] of a parathyroid gland. [[H&E stain]].]]
The '''parathyroid glands''' are an endocrine organ that is important in calcium regulation.  They often make an appearance in the context of [[thyroid surgery]].   
The '''parathyroid glands''' are an endocrine organ that is important in calcium regulation.  They often make an appearance in the context of [[thyroid surgery]].   


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=Clinical=
=Clinical=
==Hyperparathyroidism==
==Hyperparathyroidism==
*Definition: increased secretion of ''parathyroid hormone'' (PTH).<ref name=emed_hyperparathyroid>URL: [http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/127351-overview http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/127351-overview]. Accessed on: 24 January 2013.</ref>
What PTH does:<ref name=emed_hyperparathyroid>URL: [http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/127351-overview http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/127351-overview]. Accessed on: 24 January 2013.</ref>
*Increase serum calcium.
*Decrease serum phosphate.
===Classification===
===Classification===
*Primary.
*Primary.
*Secondary.
*Secondary.
*Tertiary.  
*Tertiary.  
====Overview in a table====
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Type
! PTH
! Calcium
! Common causes
|-
| Primary hyperparathyroidism
| high
| high
| [[parathyroid adenoma]] (~85-90% of cases), [[parathyroid hyperplasia]] (~10-15% of cases)
|-
| Secondary hyperparathyroidism
| high
| low or normal
| chronic renal failure, vitamin D deficiency<ref name=emed_hyperparathyroid_2ndary>URL: [http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/127351-overview#aw2aab6b5 http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/127351-overview#aw2aab6b5]. Accessed on: 24 January 2013.</ref>
|-
| Tertiary hyperparathyroidism
| high
| high
| persistent hyperparathyroidism after renal transplant;<ref name=emed_hyperparathyroid_tertiary>URL: [http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/127351-overview#aw2aab6b6 http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/127351-overview#aw2aab6b6]. Accessed on: 24 January 2013.</ref> arises in the context of secondary hyperparathyroidism<ref name=pmid26163537>{{Cite journal  | last1 = Duan | first1 = K. | last2 = Gomez Hernandez | first2 = K. | last3 = Mete | first3 = O. | title = Clinicopathological correlates of hyperparathyroidism. | journal = J Clin Pathol | volume = 68 | issue = 10 | pages = 771-87 | month = Oct | year = 2015 | doi = 10.1136/jclinpath-2015-203186 | PMID = 26163537 }}</ref>
|}
====Genetics====
Genes implicated in hyperparathyroidism:<ref name=pmid22187299>{{Cite journal  | last1 = Starker | first1 = LF. | last2 = Akerström | first2 = T. | last3 = Long | first3 = WD. | last4 = Delgado-Verdugo | first4 = A. | last5 = Donovan | first5 = P. | last6 = Udelsman | first6 = R. | last7 = Lifton | first7 = RP. | last8 = Carling | first8 = T. | title = Frequent germ-line mutations of the MEN1, CASR, and HRPT2/CDC73 genes in young patients with clinically non-familial primary hyperparathyroidism. | journal = Horm Cancer | volume = 3 | issue = 1-2 | pages = 44-51 | month = Apr | year = 2012 | doi = 10.1007/s12672-011-0100-8 | PMID = 22187299 }}</ref><ref name=pmid23652676>{{Cite journal  | last1 = Hendy | first1 = GN. | last2 = Cole | first2 = DE. | title = Genetic defects associated with familial and sporadic hyperparathyroidism. | journal = Front Horm Res | volume = 41 | issue =  | pages = 149-65 | month =  | year = 2013 | doi = 10.1159/000345675 | PMID = 23652676 }}</ref>
*MEN1.
*CASR.
*HRPT2/CDC73.
*CDKN1B.
*RET.


====Hypercalcemia DDx====
====Hypercalcemia DDx====
Line 20: Line 58:


Note:
Note:
*Hyperparathyroidism and FHH are assoc. with an increased PTH.<ref name=Ref_PBoD8_1129>{{ref PBoD8|1129}}</ref>
*Hyperparathyroidism and FHH are assoc. with an increased PTH.<ref name=Ref_PBoD8_1129>{{Ref PBoD8|1129}}</ref>
**Other causes are assoc. with a decreased PTH.
**Other causes are assoc. with a decreased PTH.


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</ref><ref>URL: [http://www.usmleforum.com/files/forum/2010/1/505388.php http://www.usmleforum.com/files/forum/2010/1/505388.php]. Accessed on: 4 December 2011.</ref>
</ref><ref>URL: [http://www.usmleforum.com/files/forum/2010/1/505388.php http://www.usmleforum.com/files/forum/2010/1/505388.php]. Accessed on: 4 December 2011.</ref>
*Moans = bone pain.
*Moans = bone pain.
*Stones = nephrolithiasis (kidney stones).
*Stones = [[nephrolithiasis]] (kidney stones).
*Bones = bone pathology, e.g. osteitis fibrosa cystica.<ref>{{Cite journal  | last1 = França | first1 = TC. | last2 = Griz | first2 = L. | last3 = Pinho | first3 = J. | last4 = Diniz | first4 = ET. | last5 = Andrade | first5 = LD. | last6 = Lucena | first6 = CS. | last7 = Beserra | first7 = SR. | last8 = Asano | first8 = NM. | last9 = Duarte | first9 = AP. | title = Bisphosphonates can reduce bone hunger after parathyroidectomy in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism and osteitis fibrosa cystica. | journal = Rev Bras Reumatol | volume = 51 | issue = 2 | pages = 131-7 | month = Apr | year = 2011 | doi =  | PMID = 21584419 }}</ref>
*Bones = bone pathology, e.g. osteitis fibrosa cystica.<ref>{{Cite journal  | last1 = França | first1 = TC. | last2 = Griz | first2 = L. | last3 = Pinho | first3 = J. | last4 = Diniz | first4 = ET. | last5 = Andrade | first5 = LD. | last6 = Lucena | first6 = CS. | last7 = Beserra | first7 = SR. | last8 = Asano | first8 = NM. | last9 = Duarte | first9 = AP. | title = Bisphosphonates can reduce bone hunger after parathyroidectomy in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism and osteitis fibrosa cystica. | journal = Rev Bras Reumatol | volume = 51 | issue = 2 | pages = 131-7 | month = Apr | year = 2011 | doi =  | PMID = 21584419 }}</ref>
*Groans = constipation.
*Groans = constipation.
Line 54: Line 92:
*Familial isolated hypoparathyroidism.
*Familial isolated hypoparathyroidism.
*Congenital absence ([[DiGeorge syndrome]]).
*Congenital absence ([[DiGeorge syndrome]]).
*Drugs - [[proton pump inhibitors]].<ref name=pmid24736034>{{Cite journal  | last1 = Deroux | first1 = A. | last2 = Khouri | first2 = C. | last3 = Chabre | first3 = O. | last4 = Bouillet | first4 = L. | last5 = Casez | first5 = O. | title = Severe acute neurological symptoms related to proton pump inhibitors induced hypomagnesemia responsible for profound hypoparathyroidism with hypocalcemia. | journal = Clin Res Hepatol Gastroenterol | volume = 38 | issue = 5 | pages = e103-5 | month = Oct | year = 2014 | doi = 10.1016/j.clinre.2014.03.005 | PMID = 24736034 }}</ref><ref name=pmid25138239>{{Cite journal  | last1 = Toh | first1 = JW. | last2 = Ong | first2 = E. | last3 = Wilson | first3 = R. | title = Hypomagnesaemia associated with long-term use of proton pump inhibitors. | journal = Gastroenterol Rep (Oxf) | volume =  | issue =  | pages =  | month = Aug | year = 2014 | doi = 10.1093/gastro/gou054 | PMID = 25138239 }}</ref>


=Normal parathyroid glands=
=Normal parathyroid glands=
:The [[cytology]] is dealt with in ''[[normal parathyroid cytology]]''.
===General===
===General===
*Identification of normal can be tricky.
*Identification of normal can be tricky.
Line 74: Line 114:
***Chief cells - predominant cell type, small, cytoplasm has variable staining (hyperchromatic-clear-eosinophilic).
***Chief cells - predominant cell type, small, cytoplasm has variable staining (hyperchromatic-clear-eosinophilic).
***Oxyphil cells (''acid staining'' cells<ref>[http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=oxyphil%20cell http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=oxyphil%20cell]</ref>) - abundant cytoplasm.
***Oxyphil cells (''acid staining'' cells<ref>[http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=oxyphil%20cell http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=oxyphil%20cell]</ref>) - abundant cytoplasm.
***Adipocytes - increased with age, may be used to help differentiate from thyroid - '''key feature'''.
***Adipocytes - dependent on age, body habitus, PT hormone, size of gland.<ref name=pmid7551007>{{Cite journal  | last1 = Iwasaki | first1 = A. | last2 = Shan | first2 = L. | last3 = Kawano | first3 = I. | last4 = Nakamura | first4 = M. | last5 = Utsuno | first5 = H. | last6 = Kobayashi | first6 = A. | last7 = Kuma | first7 = K. | last8 = Kakudo | first8 = K. | title = Quantitative analysis of stromal fat content of human parathyroid glands associated with thyroid diseases using computer image analysis. | journal = Pathol Int | volume = 45 | issue = 7 | pages = 483-6 | month = Jul | year = 1995 | doi =  | PMID = 7551007 }}</ref>
****Increased with age, may be used to help differentiate from thyroid - '''key feature'''.


====Images====
<gallery>
Image:Parathyroid_gland_intermed_mag.jpg | Parathyroid gland - intermed. mag. (WC)
Image:Parathyroid_gland_high_mag.jpg | Parathyroid gland - cropped - high mag. (WC)
Image:Parathyroid_gland_high_mag_cropped.jpg | Parathyroid gland - high mag. (WC)
</gallery>
www:
*[http://library.med.utah.edu/WebPath/ENDOHTML/ENDO031.html Parathyroid - med.utah.edu].
*[http://pathology.mc.duke.edu/research/PTH225.html Histology - several images. - pathology.mc.duke.edu].


====Parathyroid cell types====
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
| '''Name'''
! Name
| '''Staining (cytoplasm)'''
! Staining (cytoplasm)
| '''Quantity of cells'''
! Quantity of cells  
|  '''Cytoplasm (quantity)'''
! Cytoplasm (quantity)  
| '''Function'''
! Function
! Image
|-  
|-  
| (parathyroid) chief cells   
| (parathyroid) chief cells   
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| moderate  
| moderate  
| manufacture parathyroid <br>hormone (PTH)
| manufacture parathyroid <br>hormone (PTH)
| [[Image:Parathyroid adenoma - chief cells -- high mag.jpg|thumb|center|85px|Chief cells (WC)]]
|-  
|-  
| oxyphil cells   
| oxyphil cells   
Line 95: Line 148:
| abundant  
| abundant  
| ?
| ?
| [[Image:Parathyroid adenoma - oxyphil cells -- high mag.jpg|thumb|center|85px|Oxyphil cells (WC)]]
|}
|}
Notes:
Notes:
*Cytoplasmic staining varies considerably on H&E preparations - it may vary from hyperchromatic<ref>[http://www.deltagen.com/target/histologyatlas/atlas_files/endocrine/parathyroid_and_thyroid_glands_20x.jpg http://www.deltagen.com/target/histologyatlas/atlas_files/endocrine/parathyroid_and_thyroid_glands_20x.jpg]</ref> to clear to eosinophilic<ref>[http://instruction.cvhs.okstate.edu/Histology/HistologyReference/hrendo.htm http://instruction.cvhs.okstate.edu/Histology/HistologyReference/hrendo.htm]</ref>.
*Cytoplasmic staining varies considerably on H&E preparations - it may vary from hyperchromatic<ref>[http://www.deltagen.com/target/histologyatlas/atlas_files/endocrine/parathyroid_and_thyroid_glands_20x.jpg http://www.deltagen.com/target/histologyatlas/atlas_files/endocrine/parathyroid_and_thyroid_glands_20x.jpg]</ref> to clear to eosinophilic.<ref>[http://instruction.cvhs.okstate.edu/Histology/HistologyReference/hrendo.htm http://instruction.cvhs.okstate.edu/Histology/HistologyReference/hrendo.htm]</ref>
*Chief cells tend to stain more intensely than oxyphil cells.
*Chief cells tend to stain more intensely than oxyphil cells.


Thyroid vs. parathyroid (see: [http://instruction.cvhs.okstate.edu/Histology/HistologyReference/imagesco/parathyroid2F.jpg parathyroid image]):
====Thyroid versus parathyroid====
*Parathyroid cytoplasm:  
*Parathyroid cytoplasm:  
**Hyperchromatic.
**Hyperchromatic.


Parathyroid vs. lymphoid tissue (see [http://www.deltagen.com/target/histologyatlas/atlas_files/endocrine/parathyroid_and_thyroid_glands_20x.jpg parathyroid image]):
Notes:
*Thyroid often has birefringent (calcium oxalate) crystals (60 of 80 cases) whereas parathyroid less often does (2 or 20 cases).<ref name=pmid24618617>{{cite journal |authors=Wong KS, Lewis JS, Gottipati S, Chernock RD |title=Utility of birefringent crystal identification by polarized light microscopy in distinguishing thyroid from parathyroid tissue on intraoperative frozen sections |journal=Am J Surg Pathol |volume=38 |issue=9 |pages=1212–9 |date=September 2014 |pmid=24618617 |doi=10.1097/PAS.0000000000000204 |url=}}</ref>
*Thyroid usually follicular - though parathyroid occasionally is pseudofollicular.
 
====Parathyroid versus lymphoid tissue====
*Parathyroid:  
*Parathyroid:  
**No germinal centres.
**No germinal centres.
**Gland-like/follicular-like arrangement -- much smaller than normal follicles of
**Gland-like/follicular-like arrangement may be present but usually much smaller than normal thyroid follicles.
***May be confused with thyroid microfollicules.
**Occasional cell with rim of clear cytoplasm (oxyphil?).
**Occasional cell with rim of clear cytoplasm (oxyphil?).
**Nuclei are different:
***Slightly larger than in lymphocytes (1.2-1.5x the size)
***Stippled chromatin (unlike lymphocytes).


Images:
Images:
*[http://library.med.utah.edu/WebPath/ENDOHTML/ENDO031.html Parathyroid - med.utah.edu].
*[http://www.deltagen.com/target/histologyatlas/atlas_files/endocrine/parathyroid_and_thyroid_glands_20x.jpg Parathyroid image (deltagen.com)].
*[http://pathology.mc.duke.edu/research/PTH225.html Histology - several images. - pathology.mc.duke.edu].
*[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1770637/figure/f1/ Parathyroid gland (nih.gov)].<ref name=pmid15790694>{{Cite journal  | last1 = Johnson | first1 = SJ. | last2 = Sheffield | first2 = EA. | last3 = McNicol | first3 = AM. | title = Best practice no 183. Examination of parathyroid gland specimens. | journal = J Clin Pathol | volume = 58 | issue = 4 | pages = 338-42 | month = Apr | year = 2005 | doi = 10.1136/jcp.2002.002550 | PMID = 15790694 | pmc = 1770637 }}</ref>
 
===IHC===
*GATA3 +ve (>98%<ref name=pmid27097544>{{Cite journal  | last1 = Takada | first1 = N. | last2 = Hirokawa | first2 = M. | last3 = Suzuki | first3 = A. | last4 = Higuchi | first4 = M. | last5 = Kuma | first5 = S. | last6 = Miyauchi | first6 = A. | title = Diagnostic value of GATA-3 in cytological identification of parathyroid tissues. | journal = Endocr J | volume = 63 | issue = 7 | pages = 621-6 | month = Jul | year = 2016 | doi = 10.1507/endocrj.EJ15-0700 | PMID = 27097544 }}</ref>).
*PTH -ve/+ve (~33%<ref name=pmid27097544/>).
*Chromogranin A +ve (~80%<ref name=pmid27097544/>).
*AE1/AE3 +ve.{{fact}}<!-- {{Cite journal  | last1 = Piciu | first1 = D. | last2 = Irimie | first2 = A. | last3 = Kontogeorgos | first3 = G. | last4 = Piciu | first4 = A. | last5 = Buiga | first5 = R. | title = Highly aggressive pathology of non-functional parathyroid carcinoma. | journal = Orphanet J Rare Dis | volume = 8 | issue =  | pages = 115 | month = Aug | year = 2013 | doi = 10.1186/1750-1172-8-115 | PMID = 23915575 }} -->


=Specific entities=
=Specific entities=
==Parathyroid hyperplasia==
==Parathyroid hyperplasia==
===General===
{{Main|Parathyroid hyperplasia}}
*Chief cell hyperplasia - associated with MEN 1, MEN 2A.<ref>URL: [http://www.pathconsultddx.com/pathCon/diagnosis?pii=S1559-8675%2806%2970475-2 http://www.pathconsultddx.com/pathCon/diagnosis?pii=S1559-8675%2806%2970475-2]. Accessed on: 29 July 2010.</ref>
*Parathyroid hyperplasia - classically assoc. with renal failure.
 
*Classically all parathyroid glands are involved; however, some may be spared making it difficult to differentiate this from parathyroid adenoma.<ref name=Ref_PBoD8_1128>{{Ref PBoD8|1128}}</ref>
===Microscopic===
Features:<ref name=Ref_PBoD8_1128>{{Ref PBoD8|1128}}</ref>
*Similar to parathyroid adenoma.
*+/-Water-clear cells ("water-clear cell hyperplasia").


==Parathyroid adenoma==
==Parathyroid adenoma==
===General===
{{Main|Parathyroid adenoma}}
*One parathyroid is big... the others are small.
*Associated with [[MEN 1]] and [[MEN 2A]].
 
MEN 1:
*Parathyroid adenoma.
*[[Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour]].
*[[Pituitary adenoma]].
 
MEN 2A:
*Parathyroid adenoma.
*[[Medullary thyroid carcinoma]].
*[[Pheochromocytoma]].
 
Image:
*[http://library.med.utah.edu/WebPath/jpeg4/ENDO091.jpg Parathyroid adenoma (med.utah.edu)].<ref>URL: [http://library.med.utah.edu/WebPath/EXAM/IMGQUIZ/enfrm.html http://library.med.utah.edu/WebPath/EXAM/IMGQUIZ/enfrm.html]. Accessed on: 6 December 2010.</ref>
 
Subtypes:
#Chief cell parathyroid adenoma.
#*Common.
#Oxyphil parathyroid adenoma.
#*Uncommon.<ref name=pmid15579742>{{Cite journal  | last1 = Fleischer | first1 = J. | last2 = Becker | first2 = C. | last3 = Hamele-Bena | first3 = D. | last4 = Breen | first4 = TL. | last5 = Silverberg | first5 = SJ. | title = Oxyphil parathyroid adenoma: a malignant presentation of a benign disease. | journal = J Clin Endocrinol Metab | volume = 89 | issue = 12 | pages = 5948-51 | month = Dec | year = 2004 | doi = 10.1210/jc.2004-1597 | PMID = 15579742 }}</ref>
 
===Microscopic===
====Chief cell parathyroid adenoma====
Features:<ref name=Ref_PBoD8_1127>{{Ref PBoD8|1127}}</ref>
*Chief cells:
**Small central nucleus.
**Moderate cytoplasm.
*+/-Scattered oxyphil cells:
**Large cells.
**Abundant cytoplasm.
 
Images:
*[http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Parathyroid_adenoma_low_mag.jpg Parathyroid adenoma - low mag. (WC)].
*[http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Parathyroid_adenoma_high_mag.jpg Parathyroid adenoma - high mag. (WC)].
 
====Oxyphil parathyroid adenoma====
Features:<ref name=Ref_PBoD8_1127>{{Ref PBoD8|1127}}</ref>
*Oxyphil cells:
**Large cells.
**Abundant cytoplasm.
 
DDx:
*[[Hürthle cell adenoma]] of the [[thyroid gland]].
 
===Sign out===
<pre>
PARATHRYOID GLAND, EXCISION:
- CHIEF CELL PARATHYROID ADENOMA.
</pre>


==Parathyroid carcinoma==
==Parathyroid carcinoma==
===General===
{{Main|Parathyroid carcinoma}}
*Extremely rare.
 
===Microscopic===
Features:<ref>{{Ref PBoD8|1128}}</ref>
*Histologically normal parathyroid cells.
**Cytologic features not reliable for diagnosis.
*Fibrous capsule.
*Invasion of surrounding tissue - '''key feature'''.
*+/-[[Metastasis]] - '''diagnostic feature'''.
 
Note:
*Diagnosis of ''parathyroid carcinoma'' is like that of ''malignant [[pheochromocytoma]]'' - cytology useless, tissue invasion and metastases are the key features.
 
Image:
*[http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/280908-overview Parathyroid carcinoma (medscape.com)].


=See also=
=See also=

Latest revision as of 17:24, 22 February 2021

Micrograph of a parathyroid gland. H&E stain.

The parathyroid glands are an endocrine organ that is important in calcium regulation. They often make an appearance in the context of thyroid surgery.

They produce parathyroid hormone (PTH). PTH acts to increase serum calcium and is important in the regulation of the calcium balance.

Clinical

Hyperparathyroidism

  • Definition: increased secretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH).[1]

What PTH does:[1]

  • Increase serum calcium.
  • Decrease serum phosphate.

Classification

  • Primary.
  • Secondary.
  • Tertiary.

Overview in a table

Type PTH Calcium Common causes
Primary hyperparathyroidism high high parathyroid adenoma (~85-90% of cases), parathyroid hyperplasia (~10-15% of cases)
Secondary hyperparathyroidism high low or normal chronic renal failure, vitamin D deficiency[2]
Tertiary hyperparathyroidism high high persistent hyperparathyroidism after renal transplant;[3] arises in the context of secondary hyperparathyroidism[4]

Genetics

Genes implicated in hyperparathyroidism:[5][6]

  • MEN1.
  • CASR.
  • HRPT2/CDC73.
  • CDKN1B.
  • RET.

Hypercalcemia DDx

Mnemonic GRIMED:[7]

  • Granulomatous disease (tuberculosis, sarcoidosis).
  • Renal disease.
  • Immobility.
  • Malignancy (esp. squamous cell carcinoma, plasmacytoma).
  • Endocrine (primary hyperparathyroidism, tertiary hyperparathyroidism, familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia (FHH)).
  • Drugs (thiazides ... others).

Note:

  • Hyperparathyroidism and FHH are assoc. with an increased PTH.[8]
    • Other causes are assoc. with a decreased PTH.

Primary hyperparathyroidism

Cause:[9]

Familial causes of primary hyperparathyroidism:

  • MEN 1.
  • MEN 2A.
  • Familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia.
    • Autosomal dominant.
    • CASR (calcium sensing receptor) gene defect.[10]

Classic manifestations moans, stones, bones, (abdominal) groans, psychiatric overtones.[11][12]

  • Moans = bone pain.
  • Stones = nephrolithiasis (kidney stones).
  • Bones = bone pathology, e.g. osteitis fibrosa cystica.[13]
  • Groans = constipation.
  • Psychiatric overtones = CNS pathology.
    • Can include: lethargy, fatigue, depression, memory loss, psychosis, ataxia, delirium, and coma.

Hypoparathyroidism

  • Rare vis-à-vis hyperparathyroidism.
  • Classically iatrogenic, i.e. the surgeon removing 'em.[8]

Other causes:[14]

Normal parathyroid glands

The cytology is dealt with in normal parathyroid cytology.

General

  • Identification of normal can be tricky.

Gross

  • No distinctive features - surgeons thus send 'em to pathologists.

Microscopic

Features:[17]

  • Low power:
    • May vaguely resemble lymphoid tissue - may have hyperchromatic cytoplasm.
      • Does not have follicular centres like a lymph node.
    • May form gland-like structure and vaguely resemble the thyroid at low power.
    • Cytoplasm may be clear[18] - key feature.
    • Surrounded by a thin fibrous capsule.
  • High power:
    • Mixed cell population:[19]
      • Chief cells - predominant cell type, small, cytoplasm has variable staining (hyperchromatic-clear-eosinophilic).
      • Oxyphil cells (acid staining cells[20]) - abundant cytoplasm.
      • Adipocytes - dependent on age, body habitus, PT hormone, size of gland.[21]
        • Increased with age, may be used to help differentiate from thyroid - key feature.

Images

www:

Parathyroid cell types

Name Staining (cytoplasm) Quantity of cells Cytoplasm (quantity) Function Image
(parathyroid) chief cells intense hyperchromatic to eosinophilic (see note) abundant moderate manufacture parathyroid
hormone (PTH)
Chief cells (WC)
oxyphil cells moderate/light hyperchromatic to eosinophilic rare abundant ?
Oxyphil cells (WC)

Notes:

  • Cytoplasmic staining varies considerably on H&E preparations - it may vary from hyperchromatic[22] to clear to eosinophilic.[23]
  • Chief cells tend to stain more intensely than oxyphil cells.

Thyroid versus parathyroid

  • Parathyroid cytoplasm:
    • Hyperchromatic.

Notes:

  • Thyroid often has birefringent (calcium oxalate) crystals (60 of 80 cases) whereas parathyroid less often does (2 or 20 cases).[24]
  • Thyroid usually follicular - though parathyroid occasionally is pseudofollicular.

Parathyroid versus lymphoid tissue

  • Parathyroid:
    • No germinal centres.
    • Gland-like/follicular-like arrangement may be present but usually much smaller than normal thyroid follicles.
      • May be confused with thyroid microfollicules.
    • Occasional cell with rim of clear cytoplasm (oxyphil?).
    • Nuclei are different:
      • Slightly larger than in lymphocytes (1.2-1.5x the size)
      • Stippled chromatin (unlike lymphocytes).

Images:

IHC

Specific entities

Parathyroid hyperplasia

Parathyroid adenoma

Parathyroid carcinoma

See also

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 URL: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/127351-overview. Accessed on: 24 January 2013.
  2. URL: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/127351-overview#aw2aab6b5. Accessed on: 24 January 2013.
  3. URL: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/127351-overview#aw2aab6b6. Accessed on: 24 January 2013.
  4. Duan, K.; Gomez Hernandez, K.; Mete, O. (Oct 2015). "Clinicopathological correlates of hyperparathyroidism.". J Clin Pathol 68 (10): 771-87. doi:10.1136/jclinpath-2015-203186. PMID 26163537.
  5. Starker, LF.; Akerström, T.; Long, WD.; Delgado-Verdugo, A.; Donovan, P.; Udelsman, R.; Lifton, RP.; Carling, T. (Apr 2012). "Frequent germ-line mutations of the MEN1, CASR, and HRPT2/CDC73 genes in young patients with clinically non-familial primary hyperparathyroidism.". Horm Cancer 3 (1-2): 44-51. doi:10.1007/s12672-011-0100-8. PMID 22187299.
  6. Hendy, GN.; Cole, DE. (2013). "Genetic defects associated with familial and sporadic hyperparathyroidism.". Front Horm Res 41: 149-65. doi:10.1159/000345675. PMID 23652676.
  7. Shiau, Carolyn; Toren, Andrew (2006). Toronto Notes 2006: Comprehensive Medical Reference (Review for MCCQE 1 and USMLE Step 2) (22nd edition (2006) ed.). Toronto Notes for Medical Students, Inc.. pp. Emerg.. ISBN 978-0968592861.
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