Abstract
PURPOSE: To evaluate the radiologic findings and detectability of parathyroid masses in ultrasonograph
computed tomography(CT), and radionuclide study(201TI-99mTc pertechnetate subtraction scintigraphy).
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Surgically-proven 11 cases with parathyroid masses consisted of adenoma(n=8),
adenomatous hyperplasia(n:2) and adenocarcinoma(n:l) were retrospectively analyzed. We performed US in
all cases, CT in 8 cases, and radionuclide study in 7 cases. The parathyroid masses were analysed in regard to
anatomic localization and imaging appearance on three modalities.
RESULTS: Ten of the 11 parathyroid masses(91%) were located posterior to the thyroid gland and the remainder
in the left superior mediastinum. Nine of the 11 cases(82%) were detected on US. The majority were
well-defined hypoechoic mass on US. Six of the 8 cases(75%) were detected on CT scan. In the precontrst CT,
all of the 8 masses were hypodense as compared with thyroid gland and most showed mild enhancement on
post-contrast CT. Six of the 7 cases(86%) were detected on RI study as hot nodule.
CONCLUSION: The typical radiological findings of the parathyroid mass were well-defined ovoid or round
hypoechoic mass on US, hypodense mass with variable contrast enhancement on CT, and hot nodule on
radionuclide study. US was a convenient and reliable imaging modality in detecting parathyroid masses. Improved
diagnostic accuracy could be achieved with complementary CT scan and radionuclide study in addition to
ultrasonography.