ENT Doctor Removes Parathyroid Glands Unnecessarily

Case Overview

This case involves a patient who presented with hypercalcemia and was ultimately diagnosed with hyperparathyroidism. A sestamibi scan shows a parathyroid adenoma of the “posteroinferior aspect of the left thyroid lobe.” Some months later, surgery unsuccessfully located the problematic hyperparathyroid glands, despite positive visualization on the earlier scans. Nevertheless, the upper two glands were removed because biopsies showed they are 99% hypercellular. The Plaintiff continued to be hypercalcemic post-surgery. Despite this, additional surgeries were undertaken to remove the remaining glands. Surgery had no positive effect on the patient’s condition, and it is alleged that the glands did not need to be removed.

Questions to the Otolaryngology expert and their responses

Is there a requirement for removal upon discovery of 99% hypercellular activity, especially if that's not what surgery was initiated for?

In general if a frozen section was performed and shows 'hypercellular parathyroid' than in most cases that parathyroid should be removed.

About the expert

This highly qualified expert earned his MD from Baylor College of Medicine, he went on to complete a residency in Otolanryngology at Washington University School of Medicine. He is Board Certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology. This expert is a member of prestigious national associations and societies such as, the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and the American Head and Neck Society. He has been the recipient of distinguished awards, including the Presidential Civil Leadership Award, the Joseph M. Chole Humanitarian Award and the Top Doctors Rising Stars Award. He has published over 20 peer-reviewed journal articles and has been invited to lecture nationally and internationally more than 13 times. He is a former Clinical Instructor of Head and Neck Surgery at Washington University and serves currently as Chief of the Division of Head & Neck Surgical Oncology at a major university affiliated hospital.

E-022786

Specialties:

Otolaryngology