University of Virginia Health System

Endocrine Surgery General Information Adrenal Problems Parathyroid Disease Thyroid Disease Endocrine Surgery Tutorials Faculty

General Information

The Endocrine Surgery Service has been developed within the Department of Surgery and works very closely with the Division of Endocrinology in the Department of Medicine in evaluation of patients with endocrine diseases.

Drs. Mary Lee Vance, Michael Thorner, Anthony L. McCall, Alan Dalkin, John Marshall, Susan Kirk, Jerry Nadler, Eugene Barrett, Theresa Guise,  Zhenqi Liu and Joe Aloi ,  in the Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine have all been involved in the preoperative evaluation of patients with endocrine disease as outlined above. The Endocrine Surgery Group is involved in the preoperative care, case conference and in-hospital management of patients with endocrine problems. Preoperative evaluation includes imaging studies and fine needle aspiration for the appropriate endocrine masses. Postoperative management includes evaluation of the patients with malignant processes of the adrenal and thyroid in close concert with the Hematology/Oncology Group.

The Endocrine Surgery Service provides a full range of educational opportunities for physicians, nurses, and patients in regarding endocrine diseases and is active in the recruitment of patients into up-to-date clinical protocols for the treatment and diagnosis of endocrine disease.

Below we offer a brief description of some of the Endocrine diseases treated at UVA. For detailed information please see our Endocrine Surgical Tutorials

  Adrenal problems

This area deals with the diagnosis and therapeutic management of patients with adrenal masses due to either functioning or non-functioning adrenal tumors. Trans-abdominal or laparoscopic approaches to adrenal surgery are within the capabilities of this group.

  Parathyroid Diseases

The Endocrine Surgery Service is equipped and capable of dealing with patients with the diagnosis of primary or tertiary hyperthyroidism. Additionally, patients with MEN 1 or MEN 2 are seen and evaluated. Consultations are available for any patient with hypercalcemia. Preoperative evaluation, surgical care and postoperative follow-up of patients with parathyroid diseases is within the expertise of this group.

  Thyroid Disease

The patient with thyroid masses or problems of hypo-or-hyper-functioning thyroid disease are seen and evaluated by the Endocrine Surgery Service Group. Preoperative evaluation including imaging of patients with thyroid masses can be undertaken. Surgical care and postoperative follow-up of patients after thyroid dissection and evaluation for postoperative follow-up of patients with thyroid cancer are provided.