title: Parathyroid identification by methylene blue infusion.
abstract: A preoperative infusion of methylene blue was employed in 20 patients undergoing neck exploration for hyperparathyroidism. The dye was noted to stain adenomas and hyperplastic glands a deep purple-blue colour. Normal parathyroid tissue stained to a lesser extent or not at all. All unstained parathyroid tissue was normal histologically. Methylene blue infusion is a safe method of more rapidly identifying parathyroid tissue. Its preferential staining of abnormal parathyroid tissue can assist the surgeon in deciding the extent of his parathyroid excision.
mesh_terms: D000236:Adenoma / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D006961:Hyperparathyroidism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D006965:Hyperplasia / Q000473:pathology; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D008751:Methylene Blue / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010280:Parathyroid Glands / Q000473:pathology*; D010282:Parathyroid Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D013194:Staining and Labeling
chemical_list: D008751:Methylene Blue