METHODS FOR LOCALIZING AND TREATING A PARATHYROID ADENOMA
Parathyroid adenomas may be identified using optical probes which distinguish the diseased tissue from adjacent healthy tissue. Spectroscopic properties of the tissue may be used to distinguish healthy from diseased tissue. Traditional surgery to remove the parathyroid adenoma may be avoided by using techniques to occlude the blood supply to the diseased tissue. Occlusion may be accomplished by applying energy to the blood vessel such as with radiofrequency energy, ultrasound energy or laser energy. Cryogenic probes may also be used to occlude the blood flow. Clips, sutures or other mechanical mechanisms may also be used to occlude the flow, thereby destroying the diseased tissue.
1 . A method for localizing a parathyroid adenoma in a patient, said method comprising:
inserting a probe into the patient;
optically scanning tissue with the probe; and
distinguishing the parathyroid adenoma from adjacent healthy tissue based on the optical scan.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein inserting the probe comprises percutaneously inserting the probe into the patient.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein optically scanning the tissue comprises spectroscopically scanning the tissue.
4 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising disposing a fluorescent dye in the patient.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein optically scanning comprises scanning the tissue with optical coherence tomography.
6 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising ischemically ablating the distinguished parathyroid adenoma.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein ischemically ablating comprises occluding blood flow to the distinguished parathyroid adenoma by applying radiofrequency energy, ultrasound energy, a chemical agent, a mechanical occlusion device, or applying a cryogenically cooled probe to a blood vessel supplying the blood flow.
8 . A method for treating a parathyroid adenoma in a patient, said method comprising:
restricting blood flow to a parathyroid adenoma; and
ischemically ablating the parathyroid adenoma.
9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein restricting blood flow comprises occluding the blood flow by applying radiofrequency energy, ultrasound energy, a chemical agent, a mechanical occlusion device, or applying a cryogenically cooled probe to a blood vessel supplying the blood flow.
10 . A device for localizing and treating a parathyroid adenoma in a patient, said device comprising:
an optical probe configured for identifying the parathyroid adenoma from adjacent healthy tissue.
11 . The device of claim 10 , wherein the optical probe comprises a spectroscopic probe.
12 . The device of claim 10 , further comprising an ischemic ablation element for occluding a blood vessel supplying blood to the parathyroid adenoma.
13 . The device of claim 12 , wherein the ischemic ablation element comprises a radiofrequency electrode, an ultrasound transducer, a cryogenic probe, a chemical agent, an occlusion clip, or a mechanical occlusion element.