RESUMO
BACKGROUND: The present study documents the use of carbon tracking to localize parathyroid adenomas in three patients with persistent or recurrent parathyroid disease. METHODS: Three patients requiring second or third operations for hyperparathyroidism were operated upon after the parathyroid lesion had been localized preoperatively using a suspension of carbon particles in water. The enlarged parathyroid glands were identified by using one or more of the following: computed axial tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound or Sestamibi nuclear scan. The lesion was then localized with ultrasound or computed axial tomography and a carbon track was inserted from the lesion to the skin, leaving a small skin tattoo as a marker for the surgeon. Each patient underwent a minimally invasive parathyroid operation. RESULTS: For each of the three patients the recurrent or persistent parathyroid adenoma was successfully identified and removed via a small incision. CONCLUSION: Minimally invasive techniques for primary hyperparathyroidism are changing our approach to parathyroid surgery. However, a minimally invasive technique is less applicable when the disease is persistent or recurrent. Although, when the recurrent or persistent parathyroid adenoma can be identified, localization and carbon tracking have proved useful in allowing the surgeon to remove the lesion via a minimally invasive technique.