Selective venous sampling supports localization of adenoma in primary hyperparathyroidism

Selective venous sampling (SVS) is an invasive localization study for persistent or recurrent hyperparathyroidism.

To assess the role of SVS in addition to non-invasive imaging for primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT).

This study was approved by the institutional review board and included 14 patients who underwent SVS and subsequent parathyroidectomy between January 2014 and April 2017 following a clinical diagnosis of pHPT. All patients underwent pre-SVS non-invasive imaging, including ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), and ^99mTc-MIBI scintigraphy, and sensitivity was assessed using the operative and pathological findings.

In all but one case, a single parathyroid adenoma was responsible for the pHPT; the remaining case exhibited a chemical response following surgical removal of parathyroid tissue. The sensitivity (%) for ultrasound, CT, ^99mTc-MIBI scintigraphy, and SVS was 76.9, 84.6, 69.2, and 76.9, respectively. SVS yielded positive results in four patients with discordant results and one patient with non-detectable results on imaging. In seven patients, a significant increase in the intact parathyroid hormone level was recognized only in the thyroid veins. The procedure time was in the range of 52-183 min (median = 89.5 min).

The addition of SVS to a non-invasive imaging study would be helpful to locate the responsible lesion of pHPT with discordant or non-detectable results on imaging for initial surgical treatment as well.