In a series of 73 consecutive patients with hyperparathyroidism (HPT) eight patients gave a history of irradiation of head and neck because of benign diseases. The average interval between irradiation and definite diagnosis was 34 years. Intermittent hypercalcaemia was found in three patients. Microscopic examination of pathologic parathyroid glands of three patients showed a predominance of oxyphil cells. Thyroid abnormalities occurred more frequently in irradiated patients than in nonirradiated patients with HPT. Reviewing clinical and experimental data an etiologic role of irradiation in the pathogenesis of HPT appears present.
Adolescent Adult