The efficacy of technetium-99m-MIBI scan and intraoperative methylene blue staining for the localization of abnormal parathyroid glands

• Published in: Surgery today (Tokyo, Japan) Vol. 29; no. 4; pp. 307 - 312
• Main Authors: Takei, H, Iino, Y, Endo, K, Horiguchi, J, Maemura, M, Koibuchi, Y, Horii, Y, Yokoe, T, Ishida, T, Oyama, T, Morishita, Y
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan 01.01.1999
• Subjects: Adenoma - complications; Adenoma - diagnostic imaging; Adult; Coloring Agents; Evaluation Studies as Topic; Female; Humans; Hyperparathyroidism - diagnostic imaging; Hyperparathyroidism - etiology; Hyperplasia; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Methylene Blue; Middle Aged; Parathyroid Glands - diagnostic imaging; Parathyroid Glands - pathology; Parathyroid Neoplasms - complications; Parathyroid Neoplasms - diagnostic imaging; Radionuclide Imaging; Radiopharmaceuticals; Sensitivity and Specificity; Technetium Tc 99m Sestamibi; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Ultrasonography
• ISSN: 0941-1291; 1436-2813
• DOI: 10.1007/bf02483053

The efficacy of the technetium-99m-2-methoxyisobutylisonitrile (Tc-MIBI) scan and intraoperative methylene blue staining was analyzed in a consecutive series of 15 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism who underwent neck surgical exploration. A total of 17 abnormal parathyroid glands were removed, 7 of which were confirmed histologically as adenomas and 10 as hyperplasias. The Tc-MIBI scan and the thallium-201-technetium-99m subtraction (Tl/Tc) scan preoperatively localized 11 (69%) of 16, and 6 (40%) of 15 abnormal parathyroid glands, respectively. The Tc-MIBI scan correctly localized two ectopic abnormal parathyroid glands which were not localized by the Tl/Tc scan or ultrasonography (US). However, it also demonstrated false-positive accumulations caused by thyroid diseases in two patients. There were 4 abnormal parathyroid glands not detected by the preoperative imaging techniques, whereas all 17 abnormal parathyroid glands were stained with methylene blue, the infusion of which caused no adverse effects or toxicity. In conclusion, Tc-MIBI scanning and intraoperative methylene blue staining are effective techniques for the localization of abnormal parathyroid glands in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism.