Radioguided parathyroidectomy — MCQs

A 45-year-old man undergoes a parathyroidectomy given recurrent episodes of dehydration and kidney stones caused by hypercalcemia secondary to an elevated PTH level. He is recovering on the surgical floor on day 3. His temperature is 97.6°F (36.4°C), blood pressure is 122/81 mmHg, pulse is 84/min, respirations are 12/min, and oxygen saturation is 98% on room air. The patient is complaining of perioral numbness currently. What is the most appropriate management of this patient?

A 35-year-old man comes to the physician for evaluation of a neck mass and hoarseness. He has no history of major medical illness. Physical examination shows a 2.5-cm fixed, irregular thyroid nodule. His serum calcitonin concentration is elevated. The nodule is most likely comprised of cells that are embryologically derived from which of the following structures?

A 50-year-old man undergoes parathyroidectomy for treatment-resistant hyperparathyroidism. The procedure is complicated by brisk bleeding from the superior thyroid artery near the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve. To stop the bleeding, the artery is ligated at its origin. Which of the following is most likely the origin of the artery that was injured in this patient?

A 48-year-old female complains of tingling sensation in her fingertips as well as the skin around her mouth which woke her up from sleep. She is in the postoperative floor as she just underwent a complete thyroidectomy for papillary thyroid cancer. Her temperature is 37° C (98.6° F), respirations are 15/min, pulse is 67/min, and blood pressure is 122/88 mm Hg. While recording the blood pressure, spasm of the muscles of the hand and forearm is seen. What is the next best step in the management of this patient?

Three hours after undergoing a total right hip replacement, a 71-year-old woman has tingling around the lips and numbness in her fingertips. Her surgery was complicated by unintentional laceration of the right femoral artery that resulted in profuse bleeding. She appears uncomfortable. Examination shows an adducted thumb, extended fingers, and flexed metacarpophalangeal joints and wrists. Tapping on the cheeks leads to contraction of the facial muscles. Which of the following is the most likely cause of this patient's symptoms?

A 55-year-old man presents to the physician with tiredness, lethargy, bone pain, and colicky right abdominal pain for 1 month. He has no comorbidities. He does not have any significant past medical history. His height is 176 cm (5 ft 7 in), weight is 88 kg (194 lb), and his BMI is 28.47 kg/m2. The physical examination is normal, except for mild right lumbar region tenderness. Laboratory studies show: Hemoglobin 13.5 g/dL Serum TSH 2.2 mU/L Serum calcium 12.3 mg/dL Serum phosphorus 1.1 mg/dL Serum sodium 136 mEq/L Serum potassium 3.5 mEq/L Serum creatinine 1.1 mg/dL Urine calcium Elevated An ultrasound of the abdomen reveals a single stone in the right ureter without hydroureteronephrosis. Clinically, no evidence of malignancy was observed. An X-ray of the long bones reveals diffuse osteopenia with subperiosteal bone resorption. The serum parathyroid hormone level is tested and it is grossly elevated. What is the most appropriate next step in his management?

A 68-year-old man comes to the physician because of a 6-month history of difficulty swallowing pieces of meat and choking frequently during meal times. He also sometimes regurgitates foul-smelling, undigested food particles. Examination shows a 3 x 3 cm soft cystic, immobile mass in the upper third of the left side of his neck anterior to the left sternocleidomastoid muscle that becomes prominent when he coughs. A barium swallow shows an accumulation of contrast on the lateral aspect of the neck at the C5 level. Which of the following is the most likely underlying cause for this patient's condition?

A 67-year-old woman with tertiary hyperparathyroidism and end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis has persistent hypercalcemia (calcium 12.8 mg/dL) despite maximal medical management with cinacalcet and vitamin D restriction. She has severe pruritus, calciphylaxis, and vascular calcifications. All four parathyroid glands are enlarged on imaging. Evaluate the optimal surgical strategy considering her complex medical status and need for ongoing dialysis access.

A 30-year-old man presents with a 6 cm adrenal mass discovered incidentally. Biochemical workup shows elevated 24-hour urine metanephrines and plasma free metanephrines. He also has elevated serum calcium, PTH, and a pancreatic head mass on CT. Genetic testing confirms MEN 2B syndrome. Evaluate the management priorities and sequencing of interventions.

A 38-year-old woman with primary hyperparathyroidism (calcium 11.8 mg/dL, PTH 185 pg/mL) has negative sestamibi scan and ultrasound. She desires surgical cure and has no medical contraindications. She has a Z-score of -2.8 on DEXA scan and a history of recurrent kidney stones. Evaluate the surgical approach and expected outcomes.