The significance of the thyroidea ima artery in arteriographic localization of parathyroid adenomas.

The thyroidea ima artery is an anomalous vessel supplying the thyroid gland; it can also supply enlarged parathyroid glands, as illustrated in three cases in this report. In one case the ima artery was the only arterial supply, and in two instances it was part of a dual arterial supply. An ima artery should be sought if routine arteriography is negative, especially if the inferior thyroid arteries are small or absent, or if a portion of the expected thyroid stain is missing.