Contrast-enhanced MDCT characteristics of parathyroid adenomas.
OBJECTIVE
Minimally invasive directed parathyroidectomy has replaced conventional surgical techniques aimed at exploring all four glands in the bilateral neck. These changes have created the need for better preoperative imaging localization techniques. In this article, we describe the CT imaging characteristics of surgically confirmed adenomas and review anatomy and embryology to aid the radiologist in successfully identifying adenomas using contrast-enhanced CT.


CONCLUSIONS
Knowledge of normal CT appearance, contrast enhancement, and expected location are critical to correct interpretation of parathyroid adenoma at CT.
Randall
Geneva J
GJ
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Oregon Health & Sciences University, Mail Code CR 135, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd., Portland, OR 97239, USA.
Zald
Philip B
PB
Cohen
James I
JI
Hamilton
Bronwyn E
BE
D000236:Adenoma / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000328:Adult; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002828:Choristoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006961:Hyperparathyroidism / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D009333:Neck / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010282:Parathyroid Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010614:Pharynx / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D003287:Contrast Media