Emerging treatments

Alcohol ablation

Alcohol ablation therapy to the in situ parathyroid glands has also been tried, with mixed results.[86][87][88] In this procedure, ethanol is injected percutaneously into the adenoma under ultrasonographic guidance. Long-term eucalcaemia has not been consistently observed. Injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve was noted.

Robotic surgery

Randomised controlled trials are needed to assess outcomes of robotic-assisted parathyroidectomy.[89][90]

Ultrasound-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound

A small-scale study has shown reduction in serum calcium in a majority of patients, but not eradication of primary hyperparathyroidism. Side effects were of concern and included transitory vocal cord impairment in 23% of patients.[91]

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