Preoperative diagnosis of parathyroid gland pathology in patients with persistent or recurrent primary hyperparathyroidism: a retrospective study
Authors: Pospelov V. A. , Novokshonov K. Yu. , Chernikov R. A. , Sleptsov I. V. , Pridvizhkina T. S. 
Published: January 2024

INTRODUCTION: Localization of abnormal parathyroid glands in persistent or relapsed patients with primary hyperparathyroidism presents problems for surgeons before repeated surgery. There is no clear standard for the choice of diagnostic modality for localization of PG in this group of patients.OBJECTIVE: To search for the optimal diagnostic protocol of the parathyroid pathology preoperative diagnosis in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism with persistent or recurrent disease.MATERIALS AND METHODS: 55 patients diagnosed with persistence or recurrence of PHPT who underwent repeated surgical treatment were included in the study. Before surgical intervention all patients underwent laboratory and instrumental investigations in the volume of: blood tests for PTH, TTH, ionized calcium, 25(OH)D, creatinine, phosphorus, neck ultrasound, parathyroid scintigraphy by washout method, dual-isotope subtractive scintigraphy of parathyroid glands (early and delayed phases), SPECT of parathyroid glands (with uptake correction), computed tomography of the neck with intravenous bolus contrast.RESULTS: CT and planar subtraction dual-isotope scintigraphy showed the highest DA in the overall group (persistence and recurrence) (78% and 78%), with the DA of these methods differing slightly (88% and 92%) and overall accuracy being higher for CT (90% and 87%). Neck ultrasound showed the lowest rates among all methods (DA — 46%, DS — 80%, OA — 67%). Planar scintigraphy (washout) and SPECT were comparable in their informativeness: DA — 67% and 65%, DS — 96% and 98%, OA — 85% and 86%.DISCUSSION: The most commonly used current diagnostic search algorithm before reoperation is visualization of the thyroid gland by two modalities: Neck ultrasound and parathyroid scintigraphy (washout/subtraction) or SPECT-CT. In doubtful cases, the second step is computed tomography of the neck with contrast or PET/CT. It is extremely difficult to choose one optimal diagnostic method, as none of them has 100% diagnostic accuracy. In addition, each study has limitations, and the availability of some modalities is limited. In our study, the location of pathologically altered thyroid was correctly recognized in 90% of cases by CT with contrast and in 87% of cases by planar subtraction dual-isotope scintigraphy. The informativeness of neck ultrasound showed the lowest values of all modalities. SPECT and planar washout scintigraphy took an intermediate position in terms of diagnostic accuracy.CONCLUSION: Isolated ultrasonography of the neck has low diagnostic accuracy in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism with persistent or recurrent disease. We recommend the combination of US with contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the neck or US with dual isotope subtraction scintigraphy of the parathyroid glands, which have the same diagnostic accuracy. SPECT and planar washout scintigraphy can be used for the diagnosis of abnormal parathyroid glands in persistent or recurrent patients with primary hyperparathyroidism when more informative techniques are unavailable. When the techniques were combined, the combination of ultrasound/CT with contrast and ultrasound/planar subtraction dual isotope scintigraphy showed the best results with DA of 85% and 86%.