Are 99mTC-Sestamibi Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography Scan Results Associated to the Parathyroid Cell Type in Primary Hyperparathyroidism?

INTRODUCTION: 99mTC-sestamibi scintigraphy (SPECT-CT) is a common imaging modality for parathyroid localization in primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). Prior studies have suggested that the cellular composition of parathyroid adenomas influences SPECT-CT imaging results. Other biochemical and anatomical factors may also play a role in false negative results. Therefore, after controlling for confounding variables, we sought to determine whether the histologic composition of parathyroid adenomas is associated to SPECT-CT results in patients with single gland disease causing PHPT. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients with PHPT due to confirmed single gland disease was performed over a 2-y period. A 1:1 propensity score matching was done between patients with positive and negative SPECT-CT results with regard to demographical, biochemical, and anatomical characteristics followed by blinded pathologic examination of cell composition in the matched pairs. RESULTS: Five hundred forty two patients underwent routine four gland exploration and 287 (53%) patients were found to have a single adenoma. Of those, 26% had a negative SPECT-CT result. There were significant differences between groups with regards to biochemical profile, gland location, and gland size. All of which became nonsignificant after propensity score matching. Adenomas were primarily composed of chief cells, with no difference between groups (95% versus 97%, P = 0.30). In the positive SPECT-CT group, chief cells were the dominant cell type in 68% of the cases, followed by mixed type (13%), oxyphil cells (12%), and clear cells (7%). This was similar to the negative SPECT-CT group (P = 0.22). CONCLUSIONS: While certain patient's clinical characteristics are associated with SPECT-CT imaging results, histologic cell type is not significantly associated.

Bilateral exploration in primary hyperparathyroidism: Double adenoma distribution and biochemical patterns over two decades.

BACKGROUND: We investigated if anatomic patterns of abnormal parathyroid glands have ch anged for primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) as atypical biochemical presentation (normohormonal and normocalcemic) has increased. METHODS: Retrospective review of patients with pHPT who underwent routine bilateral neck exploration. RESULTS: 2762 patients were included. The "late" cohort (2014-2020) exhibited lower preoperative calcium (10.8 vs 11.1 â€‹mg/dL; P â€‹= â€‹0.001) and PTH levels (101 vs. 146 â€‹pg/mL; P â€‹= â€‹0.001) compared to the "early" cohort (2000-2006). Patients with atypical biochemical profiles increased from 25.5% to 31.3% (P â€‹< â€‹0.001). The prevalence of single adenoma (SA) decreased (66.1% vs 58.9%, P â€‹= â€‹0.02) while the proportion of double adenoma (DA) increased (17.3% vs. 22.6%, P â€‹< â€‹0.01). Upper parathyroid adenoma(s) remained the most common finding for SA and DA in both time points. CONCLUSIONS: Despite changes in patient characteristics, single upper adenoma and bilateral double upper adenomas remain the most common findings for patients with pHPT.

Comparison of incidental parathyroid tissue detection rates on pathology after total thyroidectomy performed with or without near-infrared autofluorescence imaging.

BACKGROUND: Near-infrared autofluorescence imaging is an adjunct to parathyroid identification. As it does not show perfusion, it is important to study its impact during thyroidectomy by measuring quantifiable data on parathyroid detection rather than function. The aim of this study was to compare incidental parathyroidectomy rates in patients undergoing total thyroidectomy with or without near-infrared autofluorescence. METHODS: Retrospective study of patients who underwent total thyroidectomy between 2014 and 2022 at one center. Clinical parameters, including rates of incidental parathyroid tissue on pathology reports, were compared between near-infrared autofluorescence and non-near-infrared autofluorescence groups. Near-infrared autofluorescence was used to guide dissection (identification) and/or to confirm tissue as parathyroid (confirmation). Statistical analysis was done with Wilcoxon rank sum test and χ2 analysis. RESULTS: There were 300 patients in the near-infrared autofluorescence and 750 patients in the non-near-infrared autofluorescence group. The rate of incidental parathyroid tissue detection on final pathology was 13.3% (n = 40) in the near-infrared autofluorescence and 23.2% (n = 174) in the non-near-infrared autofluorescence group (P < .001). The rate of incidental parathyroid tissue detected on pathology with near-infrared autofluorescence decreased when used for identification and confirmation of parathyroid tissue (30.0% to 13.4%, P < .001), but not when used for confirmation only (19.6% to 18.5%, P = .89). Impact of near-infra red autofluorescence in decreasing the rate of incidental parathyroid tissue was more profound for early (38.5% to 17.1%) versus mid-late career surgeons (20% to 13%). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the use of near-infrared autofluorescence may help decrease the rate of incidental parathyroid tissue detected on final pathology if used for both identification and confirmation of parathyroid glands during thyroidectomy.