Preoperative thyroid ultrasound is indicated in patients undergoing par-athyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism

Cletus A. Arciero, S. Zita Shiue, Jeremy D. Gates, George E. Peoples, Alan P.B. Dackiw, Ralph P. Tufano, Steven K. Libutti, Martha A. Zeiger, Alexander Stojadinovic

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

33 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Primary hyperaparathyroidism (pHPT) is often accompanied by underlying thyroid pathology that can confound preoperative parathyroid localization studies and com-plicate intra-operative decision making. The aim of this study was to examine the utility of preoperative thyroid ultrasonography (US) in patients prior to undergoing parathyroidec-tomy for pHPT. Methods: An Institutional Review Board approved prospective study was undertaken from January 2005 through July 2008. All patients with pHPT meeting inclusion criteria (n=94) underwent preoperative thyroid ultrasound in addition to standard 99mTc-sestamibi scintig-raphy for parathyroid localization. Demographics, operative management and final pathology were examined in all cases. Results: Fifty-four of the 94 patients (57%) were noted to have a thyroid nodule on pre-operative US, of which 30 (56%) underwent further examination with fine needle aspiration biopsy. Alteration of the operative plan attributable to underlying thyroid pathology occurred in 16 patients (17%), with patients undergoing either total thyroidectomy (n=9) or thyroid lobectomy (n=7). Thyroid cancer was noted in 33% of patients undergoing thyroid resection, and 6% of all patients with HPT. Conclusions: The routine utilization of preoperative thyroid ultrasound in patients prior to undergoing parathyroid surgery for pHPT is indicated. The added information from this non-invasive modality facilitates timely management of co-incidental, and sometimes malig-nant, thyroid pathology.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1-6
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Cancer
Volume3
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2012

Keywords

  • Hyperparathyroidism
  • Surgery
  • Thyroid
  • Thyroid cancer
  • Ultrasound

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology

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