Ultrasonographic Appearances of Parathyroid Gland Hyperplasia in Tertiary Hyperparathyroidism
Varalee Mingkwansook MD*, Chosita Buranont MD*, Arvemas Watcharakorn MD*
Affiliation : * Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathumthani, Thailand
Background : Tertiary hyperparathyroidism is due to autonomous hyperfunction of parathyroid gland. Parathyroidectomy
are usually performed in patients who are refractory to medical treatment, aiming to decrease serum parathyroid hormone
level. Ultrasound plays role in pre-operative detection of the abnormal gland.
Objective : The purpose of the study was to describe ultrasonographic appearances of parathyroid gland hyperplasia in
tertiary hyperparathyroidism.
Material and Method: The study was performed in retrospective design. Patients diagnosed as tertiary hyperparathyroidism
with available pre-operative ultrasonography of the neck during May 2009 and Jan 2015, and had pathologic confirming
hyperplasia were included into the study. Datas were collected for location, echogenicity, surface, margin, vascularization,
cystic change and calcification.
Results : There were 28 patients with 58 parathyroid glands found on ultrasound in the study. The size of the gland was ranged
from 0.6 to 3.5 cm. The most common ultrasonographic findings found on the study was well-defined hypoechoic lesion with
peripheral vascularity.
Conclusion : Familiarity of the appearance of the abnormal parathyroid gland could facilitate radiologist to localize the
lesion confidently.
Keywords : Ultrasonography, Tertiary hyperparathyroidism
