Sonography in primary hyperparathyroidism: review with emphasis on scanning technique.

OBJECTIVE

To review the sonographic features and focused sonographic scanning techniques that may assist in the preoperative localization of parathyroid adenomas in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism.

METHODS

The sonographic findings were reviewed in 54 of 58 consecutive patients with pathologically proven parathyroid adenomas. A systematic scanning approach including real-time gray scale, color and power Doppler, and graded compression gray scale imaging was used in all patients.

RESULTS

Fifty-four (93%) of 58 proven adenomas were correctly identified by sonography. Gray scale imaging alone was sufficient for identifying 26 (100%) of 26 large (> or =1-cm) and 3 (11%) of 25 small (<1-cm) parathyroid adenomas. However, for 25 (89%) of 28 small adenomas, a combination of color and power Doppler and graded compression real-time gray scale imaging was required for sonographic localization and identification.

CONCLUSIONS

Knowledge of typical locations and characteristic imaging features, as well as a systematic scanning approach, can result in accurate preoperative sonographic localization of parathyroid adenomas.