[Visualization of enlarged parathyroids by digital subtraction angiography in 22 patients with primary or secondary...

Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA) is a suitable method for visualising hypercrinal parathyroid glands on account of its high power of resolution. Hyperperfused areas stand out in contrast when using largely standardised imaging techniques with peripheral venous injection of contrast medium. Whereas 15 of 17 hyperplastic parathyroids were seen via DSA, it was not possible to identify on the subtraction image 2 out of 6 adenomas and one carcinoma. In our group of patients, surgical confirmation was obtained in 21 of 32 hyperperfused areas found via DSA (66%) and 9 out of 17 structures with poor echo (53%) in ultrasound.