Correlation of biochemical parameters with single parathyroid adenoma weight and volume

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship of the biochemical parameters serum phosphate, serum calcium, and serum parathyroid hormone levels with respect to parathyroid adenoma weight and volume in primary hyperparathyroidism. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review of 63 cases of primary hyperparathyroidism from 1992 to 1998. METHODS: Single parathyroid adenomas were identified from surgical pathology reports. Preoperative calcium, phosphate, and parathyroid hormone levels were collected from charts. The volume of the adenoma was calculated using a mathematical equation for the volume of an ellipsoid object. The data were analyzed using a multiple analysis of variance, and a correlation coefficient was calculated. The level of significance was set at p < or = .05. RESULTS: With respect to adenoma volume, there was a significant correlation with serum calcium and parathormone levels (p = .0001 and p = .0001, respectively). There was no significant correlation between serum phosphate and adenoma volume. With respect to adenoma weight, there was a significant correlation with serum calcium and parathormone levels (p = .0001 and p = .0001, respectively). There was no significant correlation between serum phosphate and adenoma weight. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative serum calcium and parathormone levels may be able to predict adenoma weight and volume in primary hyperparathyroidism for a single adenoma.