Arteriographic exposition of the parathyroids

Arteriographic exposition of the parathyroids in 52 patients consecutively referred for primary hyperparthyroidism is reported. Thirty-nine patients under-went neck exploration. In 29 patients pathologic parathyroids were found. The arteriographic evaluation was based on observation of the course of the inferior thyroid artery and the presence of parenchymal opacification. Comparison of arteriography and surgical findings revealed that selective angiograpy of the inferior thyroid artery had a high sensitivity and specificity in the detection of pathologic parathyroids far exceeding that of a non-selective technique.