Imaging of Treated Thyroid and Parathyroid Disease

Neuroimaging Clin N Am. 2022 Feb;32(1):145-157. doi: 10.1016/j.nic.2021.08.014.

Abstract

The thyroid and parathyroid glands are endocrine structures located in the visceral space of the infrahyoid neck. Imaging plays a critical role in the evaluation of patients with thyroid cancer, both in the pre and posttreatment setting. Disorders of thyroid function, that is, hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, are also fairly common, although imaging utilization is less frequent with these conditions. Parathyroid dysfunction results in disordered calcium metabolism. Imaging is frequently applied in the preoperative assessment of these patients undergoing parathyroidectomy; however, routine imaging in the postoperative setting is uncommon. Parathyroid carcinoma is rare; however, imaging may be used in the pre and posttreatment setting.

Keywords: Computed tomography (CT); Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); Radioactive iodine (RAI); Thyroid cancer; Thyroidectomy; Ultrasound (US).

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Parathyroid Diseases* / diagnostic imaging
  • Parathyroid Diseases* / surgery
  • Parathyroid Glands / diagnostic imaging
  • Parathyroid Glands / surgery
  • Thyroid Neoplasms* / surgery
  • Thyroidectomy