Predicting tumor volume in primary hyperparathyroidism from preoperative clinical data

Abstract Context Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is an endocrine disorder that is treated surgically, and some correlation between the size of the responsible lesion and preoperative clinical data is assumed. Objective The purpose of this study was to predict tumor volume of the lesion responsible for PHPT from preoperative clinical data. Methods Participants comprised patients with surgically treated PHPT who underwent initial surgery in our department between January 2000 and December 2021. The volume of parathyroid gland removed was used as the primary outcome and associations with preoperative clinical data were assessed by multivariable analysis. Results A positive correlation was identified between parathyroid tumor volume and both preoperative intact parathyroid hormone (PTH) (Spearman's r = 0.503) and calcium values (Spearman's r = 0.338). Data for intact PTH value and tumor volume were logarithmically transformed (ln-PTH = log-transformed intact PTH value; ln-volume = log-transformed tumor volume). Multiple regression analysis revealed male sex, ln-PTH and calcium values as significant predictors of ln-volume, with standardized regression coefficients of 0.213 (95% CI 0.103-0.323), 0.5018 (95% CI 0.4442-0559), and 0.322 (95% CI 0.0339-0.149), respectively. The adjusted R2 for this model is 0.320. Conclusion Preoperative serum intact PTH value is associated with tumor volume of the lesion responsible for PHPT. A rough estimation of the tumor size would provide responsible physicians with opportunities to add further imaging tests or plan appropriate surgical strategies.