Estimation of parenchymal cell mass of parathyroid glands using a volumeter technique.

A volumeter technique was used to estimate the density of the two main tissue components of the parathyroid gland--parenchymal and fat tissue. The difference in density between the two components was distinct (1.06 and 0.93 g/ml) and measurements of the weight and volume of parathyroid glands could therefore be utilized in calculating their parenchymal tissue content. The results of these measurements corresponded to those obtained at histopathological evaluation of parathyroid glands. The presented technique is simple and convenient and with slight improvement could be used for intraoperative characterization of parathyroid glands.