Parathyroid localization in primary hyperparathyroidism: double-tracer scintigraphy and venous sampling techniques combined. A first evaluation.

The authors report their first experience with two techniques for preoperative localization of hyperfunctioning parathyroid glands: double-tracer (99mTc-201Tl) scintigraphy and venous sampling from thyroid veins. Nineteen patients affected by primary hyperparathyroidism were examined by both methods and subsequently submitted to surgery. Scintigraphy showed a sensitivity of 77.3% while the positivity of sampling was 63.6%; with the two techniques combined a correct localization was obtained in 90.9% of all cases. The authors emphasize the usefulness of both methods combined for locating enlarged hyperfunctioning parathyroids.