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Percutaneous microwave ablation under ultrasound guidance achieves 86.0% clinical cure rate at 6 monthsMicrowave Ablation Shows Promise for Treating Primary Hyperparathyroidism

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Key Takeaway
Consider percutaneous microwave ablation as a minimally invasive option for selected patients with primary hyperparathyroidism.

This meta-analysis evaluates the efficacy and safety of percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA) under multiparametric ultrasound (MPUS) guidance for patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). The analysis included 355 patients and reported a 100% technical success rate for the procedure.

Clinical cure rates were reported as 86.0% at 6 months and 82.0% at 12 months, with a 75.0% cure rate at the last available follow-up. Secondary outcomes included significant declines in serum calcium and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels, while serum phosphorus levels rose.

The study notes that the overall complication rate was 11.0%, with transient hoarseness and transient hypocalcemia being the most common events. Permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve injury was reported as rare. However, the authors note that pooled evidence regarding longitudinal biochemical outcomes and safety remains limited.

Clinically, percutaneous MWA under ultrasound guidance may serve as a minimally invasive treatment option for selected patients with PHPT. However, the limited evidence for long-term biochemical outcomes suggests caution when using this as a primary alternative to standard treatments.

How this fits prior evidence

This meta-analysis addresses a gap in minimally invasive treatment options for primary hyperparathyroidism. While prior coverage notes that parathyroidectomy and hypercalcemia management are key for primary hyperparathyroidism, this finding provides specific data on percutaneous microwave ablation. It confirms that MWA can achieve a 100% technical success rate and significant declines in serum calcium and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels.

Researchers analyzed data from 355 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism to evaluate a treatment called percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA). This procedure uses microwave energy guided by ultrasound to target and treat the affected tissue. The study found a 100% technical success rate in performing the procedure correctly.

Patients showed significant improvements in their health markers. Serum calcium and parathyroid hormone levels dropped significantly, while phosphorus levels rose. The clinical cure rate was 86% at six months and 82% at one year. While the cure rate was 75% at the final follow-up, the procedure was generally well tolerated by patients.

Safety data showed an 11% overall complication rate, with most issues being temporary, such as brief hoarseness or low calcium. Serious issues, like nerve damage, were rare. Because this is a meta-analysis with limited data on long-term outcomes, it is currently considered a promising minimally invasive option for specific patients rather than a standard for everyone.

What this means for you:
Microwave ablation is a promising minimally invasive option for some patients with primary hyperparathyroidism.

Common questions

What is the success rate of microwave ablation for this condition?

The study reported a 100% technical success rate for the procedure. The clinical cure rate was 86.0% at 6 months and 82.0% at 12 months. The rate at the last follow-up was 75.0%.

Is this treatment safe for patients?

The procedure had a tolerable safety profile. The overall complication rate was 11.0%, with most issues being temporary, such as transient hoarseness or transient hypocalcemia. Serious complications, like permanent nerve injury, were rare.

How does it affect hormone and calcium levels?

Patients who underwent the procedure showed a significant decline in serum calcium and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels. Additionally, serum phosphorus levels were found to rise following the treatment.

Study Details

Study typeMeta analysis
EvidenceLevel 1
PublishedSep 2026
View Original Abstract ↓
BackgroundMultiparametric ultrasound (MPUS)-guided percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA) has emerged as a minimally invasive treatment option for primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT), but pooled evidence on longitudinal biochemical outcomes and safety remains limited.ObjectiveThis meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous MWA performed under ultrasound guidance for PHPT.MethodsFollowing PRISMA guidelines, eligible cohort studies were retrieved from five electronic databases. Pooled cure rates, serial changes in intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), serum calcium and phosphorus, overall complication rates, and adenoma volume reduction were calculated via random-effects models. Leave-one-out sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the robustness of the pooled estimates.ResultsNine cohorts enrolling 355 PHPT patients were included. Technical success was 100%. Pooled clinical cure rates reached 86.0% at 6 months, 82.0% at 12 months, and 75.0% at the last available follow-up. Serum calcium and iPTH declined significantly, and serum phosphorus rose across all time points. The pooled patient-level overall complication rate was 11.0%, with transient hoarseness and transient hypocalcemia being the most commonly reported event-specific complications, whereas permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve injury was rare.ConclusionCurrent evidence suggests that percutaneous MWA performed under ultrasound guidance may be a minimally invasive treatment option for appropriately selected patients with PHPT, providing acceptable mid-term biochemical improvement with a tolerable safety profile.Systematic Review Registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD42025644973, identifier CRD42025644973
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