The oxyphil cell in abnormal parathyroid glands. A study of 114 cases.

The parathyroid oxyphil cell is apparently capable of parathyroid hormone secretion. To investigate the significance of oxyphil cells in abnormal human parathyroid glands, we compared histologic and clinical features in a retrospective study of 114 cases of hyperparathyroidism, Parathyroid glands were classified by the presence or absence of significant numbers of oxyphil cells. Significant numbers of oxyphil cells were found in 91% of all cases of secondary hyperparathyroidism, 69% of all cases of single adenoma, and 55% of all cases of primary multiple-gland hyperparathyroidism. Oxyphil cells are more common in women. Among cases of primary multiple-gland hyperparathyroidism, oxyphil cells were associated with greater mean serum calcium levels (P = .003). The oxyphil cell of the parathyroid gland is associated with hyperparathyroidism, and may secrete more hormone than the chief cell.