Ectopic parathyroid adenomas: multi-imaging modalities and its management

Advancements in imaging technology have led to better diagnoses of ectopic parathyroid adenomas. Although surgery is curative in the majority of patients with parathyroid adenomas in normal preoperative locations, imaging is definitely required in ectopic adenomas in the neck and more importantly in the chest. The various imaging modalities used in the diagnosis of parathyroid adenomas are isotopic techniques, MRI, CT, ultrasound, arteriography, and venous sampling for parathormone. This review presents four patients studied with different diagnostic techniques resulting in cures with surgery or arteriographic ablation. The literature survey suggests the sensitivity of Tc-99m MIBI scanning to be more than 90%, MRI 70-75%, and CT scanning slightly lower. On the basis of the authors' experience and a literature review, a combination of MIBI scanning and MRI appears to be the most logical approach. If these two tests do not provide sufficient diagnostic confidence, then CT or a contrast arteriogram should be considered. Recent advances in arteriography/catheters have made angiographic ablation with alcohol or contrast material possible in patients who cannot undergo surgery.