Ultrasound detection of normal parathyroid glands: a preliminary study.

OBJECTIVE

No previous prospective study has investigated the detection of normal parathyroid glands (PTGs) and their features using real-time ultrasound (US). This study aimed to assess the preoperative US detection of normal PTGs in patients who underwent hemithyroidectomy.

METHODS

Between August and October 2016, 44 patients underwent hemithyroidectomy using a low-collar incision, and 5 were excluded from the study. A single radiologist performed the preoperative US examination in all patients, and the surgical data for the PTGs were obtained by a single surgeon. Based on the surgical findings of PTGs, the preoperative US detection of PTGs was determined.

RESULTS

Of the 39 patients, 3 had no surgical data for PTG (n = 2) and the presence of parathyroid hyperplasia (n = 1). In the 36 remaining patients, in 3 patients, US identification of a normal PTG was corroborated by surgical findings, whereas in 2 patients, US findings differed from surgical findings, and in 31 patients, US did not detect a normal PTG. The successful US detection rate of normal PTG was only 8.3% (3/36).

CONCLUSIONS

US cannot be used for identification of normal PTGs.