Parathyroid localization. Sonographic-surgical correlation.

Sonographic localization of enlarged parathyroid gland was performed in 37 patients suspected of hyperparathyroidism who underwent surgical exploration of the neck. Nine of those patients were clinically asymptomatic. Most of the others presented with urolithiasis. The sonograms were obtained by conventional and high resolution realtime (10 mHz). Of the 37 patients, 31 patients had a single adenoma, three patients had two adenomas, and two patients had hyperplasia. Analysis of the results has shown accuracy of 84 per cent. The sensitivity of the procedure was 79.5 per cent and the specificity was 98 per cent. The exact side and location of the enlarged parathyroid in relation to the thyroid gland was predicted in 91 per cent. The false-negative cases were due to abnormal location (gland in mediastinum or incorporated within the thyroid). The false-positive findings were all colloid cysts located at the periphery of the thyroid parenchyma. Preoperative confirmation and localization of enlarged parathyroid glands facilitated the decision for surgical intervention, especially in hypercalcemic asymptomatic patients and in high operative risk patients. The duration of operation and postoperative complications were significantly reduced.