Nephrol Dial Transplant (2003) 18: III1
© 2003 European Renal Association-European Dialysis and Transplant Association
Introduction
Introduction
Secondary hyperparathyroidism is one of the major bone abnormalities that develops in patients on chronic dialysis therapy. Several new agents have been added to the list of therapeutic modalities that suppress parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion; however, a long history of secondary hyperparathyroidism almost inevitably leads to hyperplasia of the parathyroid glands. Recent pathophysiological studies indicate that the PTH hypersecretion in patients with nodular hyperplasia is usually resistant to conventional medical therapy, and these patients require other interventions for the treatment of the enlarged parathyroid glands, including surgical parathyroidectomy.
The ‘International Symposium on Secondary Hyperparathyroidism’ was held on 17 August 2002 in Tokyo to discuss the pathogenesis of hyperparathyroidism in uraemia, and also to reach consensus on the selection of new therapeutic modalities for this abnormality. In a special session, the indication for and efficacy of several methods of parathyroid intervention were discussed intensively by the members of the Japanese Society for Parathyroid Intervention; these new methods include percutaneous ethanol injection therapy, direct injection of vitamin D analogues, minimally invasive parathyroidectomy, and so on.
We hope the proceedings of this symposium in this supplement of Nephrology, Dialysis, Transplantation will give new insights into the management of secondary hyperparathyroidism in chronic renal failure.
In closing, we express our gratitude to Kirin Brewery Co. Ltd for their kind support of this symposium.
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