Advanced Imaging and Surgical Skill Lead to Successful Removal of a Parathyroid Adenoma
After Paul Fertsch broke his ankle in 2023, he started slowing down. “I couldn’t walk 25 feet without being exhausted. We thought it was related to my ankle, but my wife also noticed that my personality had changed,” Fertsch says.
“Paul was discouraged and down in the dumps all the time, but the fatigue was the worst,” Bunny Fertsch recalls. “Our family physician had been telling him for a year that his blood calcium level was high and suggested that he see an endocrinologist. Finally, I made an appointment for him with mine.”
The endocrinologist referred him to Ron J. Karni, MD, chief of the Division of Head and Neck Surgical Oncology and an associate professor who holds joint appointments in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology and the Division of Hematology/Oncology at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston. Dr. Karni also specializes in parathyroid surgery.
“We really liked Dr. Karni from the start,” Fertsch says. “When I told him how exhausted I was, he suspected a parathyroid adenoma and said I think I can help you. After we find and remove it, you will notice an immediate difference. His demeanor put us completely at ease. When we left his office, I felt confident and was ready to have the surgery then and there.”
At 11.6, Fertsch’s calcium levels were very high, affecting every system of his body from the central nervous system to the kidneys. “Because these tiny parathyroid tumors are difficult to find, we rely on good imaging,” Dr. Karni says. “A 4D CT scan showed a 2.6-centimeter nodule, which allowed us to perform a small and quick outpatient surgery through a 2-to-3 centimeter incision. A faster surgery ensures a better recovery. Like all our parathyroid patients, he was better almost immediately after the surgery. We monitored his calcium levels overnight, and he was discharged the following day.”
The Department of Otorhinolaryngology ranks as a high-volume center for thyroid and parathyroid surgery. “We’ve created a smooth process for patients from check-in to discharge,” Dr. Karni says. “Good outcomes require surgical skill, advanced equipment, and a high level of team efficiency. We’ve put all of that together in a package to improve the experience of our patients.”
“For me, it was a miracle,” Fertsch says. “My scar is almost invisible. Bunny told me to slow down after the surgery but I didn’t because I felt great.”