Computed tomography can guide focused exploration in select patients with primary hyperparathyroidism and negative sestamibi scanning

Avital Harari, Rasa Zarnegar, James Lee, Elias Kazam, William B. Inabnet, Thomas J. Fahey

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

60 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to analyze the utility of preoperative thin cut (2.5 mm) computed tomography (CT) in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) and negative sestamibi scans. Methods: A retrospective review of patients with PHPT was conducted from the prospective parathyroid registries of 2 tertiary referral centers. Of 482 patients, 63 with negative sestamibi scanning underwent thin cut CT of the neck and were included in the final analysis. Results: CT was 85% sensitive and 94% specific for correctly lateralizing the side(s) of diseased glands and 66% sensitive and 89% specific for predicting exactly the location of diseased glands. Sixty-six percent of patients underwent focused explorations, and 87% of patients underwent parathyroidectomy under local anesthesia. Pathology revealed a single adenoma in 83%, multigland disease in 14%, carcinoma in 1%, and no pathology in 2%. Average operative time was 73 minutes overall, but only 55 minutes in patients with precise CT localization (P = .02). Conclusion: Thin cut CT is a helpful adjunct to preoperative workup in PHPT patients who have negative sestamibi localization and permits a focused neck exploration in a high percentage of those patients.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)970-977
Number of pages8
JournalSurgery
Volume144
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2008

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery

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