Selective venous sampling for localization of hyperfunctioning parathyroid glands

Selective venous sampling with parathyroid hormone assay was used in 46 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. All patients had previously been operated on in the neck region. In 80 per cent of the patients the method correctly located the position of the hyperfunctioning gland(s). No complications were observed. The method was found to be of great value when evaluating patients with persistent or recurrent hyperparathyroidism.