Multiglandular Parathyroid Disease in Primary Hyperparathyroidism With Inconclusive Conventional Imaging

Physiol Res. 2022 Apr 30;71(2):233-240. doi: 10.33549/physiolres.934851. Epub 2022 Apr 11.

Abstract

Inconclusive preoperative imaging is a strong predictor of multiglandular parathyroid disease (MGD) in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). MGD was investigated in a cohort of 17 patients with PHPT (mean age 64.9 years, total calcium 2.75 mmol/l and parathyroid hormone (PTH) 113.3 ng/l) who underwent 18F-fluorocholine PET/CT (FCH) imaging before surgery. The initial MIBI SPECT scintigraphy (MIBI) and/or neck ultrasound were not conclusive or did not localize all pathological parathyroid glands, and PHPT persisted after surgery. Sporadic MGD was present in 4 of 17 patients with PHPT (24 %). In 3 of 4 patients with MGD, FCH correctly localized 6 pathological parathyroid glands and surgery was successful. Excised parathyroid glands were smaller (p <0.02) and often hyperplastic in MGD than in single gland disease. In two individuals with MGD, excision of a hyperplastic parathyroid gland led to a false positive decline in intraoperative PTH and/or postoperative serum calcium. Although in one patient it was associated with partial false negativity, parathyroid imaging with FCH seemed to be superior to neck ultrasound and/or MIBI scintigraphy in MGD.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Calcium
  • Humans
  • Hyperparathyroidism, Primary* / diagnostic imaging
  • Hyperparathyroidism, Primary* / pathology
  • Hyperparathyroidism, Primary* / surgery
  • Middle Aged
  • Parathyroid Glands / diagnostic imaging
  • Parathyroid Glands / pathology
  • Parathyroid Glands / surgery
  • Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography / methods
  • Technetium Tc 99m Sestamibi

Substances

  • Technetium Tc 99m Sestamibi
  • Calcium