US Features of the Parathyroid Glands: An Intraoperative Surgical Specimen Study

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Surgical Pathology
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Parathyroid gland (PTG) identification is crucial during thyroid surgery.
• Accurate preoperative and intraoperative imaging can improve PTG localization and preservation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To define the characteristic ultrasonography (US) features of normal parathyroid glands (PTGs).
• To evaluate PTG echogenicity, echotexture, size, and shape using surgical specimens.

Main Methods:

• Histologically confirmed normal PTGs from 17 patients undergoing thyroid surgery were analyzed.
• High-resolution US was performed on resected PTG specimens in sterile normal saline.
• US features including echogenicity, echotexture, size, and shape were retrospectively evaluated.

Main Results:

• All evaluated PTGs exhibited hyperechogenicity, comparable to saline-soaked gauze.
• 32/34 (94.1%) PTGs showed homogeneous hyperechogenicity.
• The mean long diameter was 7.1 mm, and 97.1% of PTGs were ovoid.

Conclusions:

• Normal PTG specimens consistently demonstrate hyperechogenicity on US.
• A small, ovoid, homogeneously hyperechoic structure is a characteristic ultrasonographic feature of normal PTGs.