Localization of abnormal parathyroid glands of the mediastinum with MR imaging.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the sensitivity of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging for preoperative localization of abnormal parathyroid glands in the mediastinum and to compare the sensitivity of MR imaging with those of scintigraphy and ultrasonography (US).


METHODS
The prospective sensitivity of MR imaging was compared with those of thallium-technetium scintigraphy and US in 25 patients in whom the abnormal gland was located in the mediastinum at surgery.


RESULTS
MR imaging had a much higher sensitivity (22 of 25 cases [88%]) than did scintigraphy (11 of 19 cases [58%]) or US (three of 24 cases [12%]). The most common locations for the mediastinal gland were intrathymic (eight of 25 cases) and paraesophageal (six of 25 cases) sites.


CONCLUSIONS
MR imaging should be considered the modality of choice for preoperative localization in this group of patients.
Department of Radiology, University of California, San Francisco 94143.
Y S
YS
Kang
K
K
Rosen
O H
OH
Clark
C B
CB
Higgins
D000236:Adenoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002828:Choristoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008479:Mediastinal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010280:Parathyroid Glands / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D010282:Parathyroid Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013382:Subtraction Technique; D013667:Technetium; D013794:Thallium Radioisotopes; D014463:Ultrasonography
D013794:Thallium Radioisotopes; D013667:Technetium