Sign in  |  Register

Illustrated Health Encyclopedia
[an error occurred while processing this directive]

Ency. home > Disease > P > Parathyroid hyperplasia

Parathyroid hyperplasia    See images

Overview | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention

Definition:

Parathyroid hyperplasia is the enlargement of all four parathyroid glands in the neck, which control calcium metabolism. Parathyroid hyperplasia causes about 15% of cases of hyperparathyroidism which causes elevated levels of calcium in the blood (hypercalcemia).

Causes and Risks

Parathyroid hyperplasia may occur sporadically (without a family history) or as part of three familial (inherited) syndromes: MEN (multiple endocrine neoplasia) 1; MEN2A; and isolated familial hyperparathyroidism.

In MEN1, the cause is an absent gene, with resulting problems in the parathyroids. In MEN2A, mutations of a gene are activated and cause the condition. The genetic basis of isolated familial parathyroidism is not yet clear.

Ency. home > Disease > P > Parathyroid hyperplasia

[an error occurred while processing this directive]