[Preoperative localization of the parathyroid glands with computerized tomography]

CT was carried out in 50 patients with clinical suspicion of hyperparathyroidism, in order to localise the adenoma. In 45 patients, the diagnosis was confirmed at operation and adenomas or hyperplastic glands were removed. In the remaining five patients the diagnosis was not confirmed at operation, nor by the subsequent clinical course. On four occasions, CT correctly turned out to be negative and in one patient a false positive finding was obtained. Amongst the 45 patients, a total of 59 enlarged glands (adenomas or hyperplastic glands) were found at operation and removed. Pre-operative CT was positive and correct in 78% and negative and incorrect in 22%. Of eight adenomas in the mediastinum, seven could be recognised pre-operatively. Previous operations on the neck did not reduce diagnostic accuracy. The techniques and results are described and discussed.