Abstract
Objective: Minimally invasive surgery for primary hyperparathyroidism has gained significant popularity. Preoperative localization is required, with ultrasonography and sestamibi imaging being most commonly utilized. When both are obtained, frequently the same site is localized. It is unclear that 2 localization techniques are required in patients with hyperparathyroidism.
Method: Prospectively collected data from the Midwest Head and Neck Cancer Consortium’s parathyroid protocol was retrospectively reviewed. The study included patients that had preoperative localization and subsequently underwent surgery. The localization studies were correlated to surgical findings.
Results: Of the 96 patients, preoperative US, sestamibi, or both studies were obtained in 77, 88, and 71, respectively. Preoperative US and sestamibi localized an abnormality in 69% and 80%, respectively. In patients with localizing US, surgical findings were exactly as predicted in 75% and localized to the correct side in 84%. The accuracy of localization was similar for sestamibi imaging. In 8 patients with inaccurate US localization, the sestamibi detected an abnormal gland in only 50%. In patients with a nonlocalizing US, sestamibi was able to detect disease in 75%, with 2 being in the mediastinum.
Conclusion: Given the lower cost of ultrasonography, it is an acceptable initial localization study for patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. In patients with nonlocalizing ultrasound, sestamibi imaging should be obtained. Frequently potential sites of disease will be identified, still allowing for a minimally invasive surgical approach.
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