Parathyroid Imaging

The New York Center for Advanced Parathyroid Surgery employs the most advanced parathyroid imaging techniques available. Over 90% of parathyroid tumors are found using a combination of a parathyroid scan with High Resolution Parathyroid Ultrasound.

Preoperative parathyroid imaging and localization enables a minimally invasive or "mini-incision" approach to abnormal parathyroid glands. Finding the tumor before incision allows us to make a smaller incision without the need to do a traditional neck exploration.

Imaging studies are performed only after a diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism is established through biochemical findings.

Common parathyroid imaging scans include the following:

A parathyroid Sestamibi scan is the preferred method for identifying an abnormal parathyroid gland. The Sestamibi scan will reveal only the one bad parathyroid tumor and NOT the normal parathyroid glands. Sestamibi is a small protein that is labeled with the radiopharmaceutical technetium-99m. Tc99m Sestamibi is a very safe and mild radioactive agent that is injected and then preferably absorbed by the abnormal parathyroid gland i.e. parathyroid adenoma. Using an advanced gamma nuclear camera, the abnormal gland can then be visualized and localized in the neck.

Parathyroid ultrasound is a relatively inexpensive and non-invasive test that does not require radiation. Additionally, ultrasound of the thyroid and parathyroid glands is used preoperatively to rule out thyroid nodules that may need to be evaluated prior to parathyroid surgery. It is not particularly accurate in localizing a parathyroid adenoma.

A high-resolution parathyroid CT scan is used to help localize a parathyroid tumor when a parathyroid scan and parathyroid ultrasound were unsuccessful at localizing the tumor. A CT scan is quicker and less expensive than an MRI. Since the introduction of Sestamibi scans, CT scans are not performed as frequently today.

Parathyroid MRI is reserved for cases of primary hyperparathyroidism where properly performed Sestamibi scan and high-resolution parathyroid ultrasound did not localize a parathyroid adenoma.

SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computerized Tomography) scanning is a 3-D method of Parathyroid Sestamibi Scan. With this method 3-dimensional images of the parathyroid can be taken after Technetium-99m Sestamibi is injected. This method is 2-3 percent more accurate than a standard parathyroid scan.

Identifying the specific overactive parathyroid gland before the operation is the preferred method of performing parathyroid surgery. The advanced noninvasive parathyroid adenoma imaging techniques offered at the New York Center for Advanced Parathyroid Surgery will help determine exactly where to operate, resulting in less scarring and faster patient recovery.

Serving New England and Beyond

The New York Center for Advanced Parathyroid Surgery is located approximately 1 hour north of Manhattan in the scenic Warwick Valley, New York. This serene environment lends itself to healing and recuperation after your surgery. We operate on patients from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and throughout the United States. Patients from around the world come to us for parathyroid removal surgery.

WE ACCEPT AND WILL WORK WITH ALL MAJOR UNITED STATES INSURANCE PLANS.

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