Parathyroid adenomas evaluated by Tl-201/Tc-99m pertechnetate subtraction scintigraphy and high-resolution ultrasonography

Thallium-201/technetium-99m pertechnetate subtraction scintigraphy of the parathyroid glands was performed in a prospective study of 33 patients who had undergone bilateral neck exploration for elevated serum calcium and serum parathyroid hormone levels. In 31 cases, the Tl-201/Tc-99m subtraction technique yielded an overall sensitivity of 81%, specificity of 99%, and accuracy of 94% for identifying solitary parathyroid adenomas. Tl-201/Tc-99m subtraction scintigraphy correctly identified 73% of parathyroid adenomas weighing less than 499 mg, 79% of those weighing 500-1,499 mg, and 100% of adenomas weighing more than 1,500 mg. In a subgroup of 24 patients with solitary parathyroid adenomas who underwent both scintigraphy and high-resolution sonography, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of both procedures were similar.     

Using magnetic-resonance tomography in differential diagnosis of the adrenal glands malignant tumors

Possibilities of application of magnet-resonance tomography (MRT) for differential diagnosis of the adrenal glands tumors were studied up. MRT was conducted to 39 patients with adrenal glands tumors, including 22 - with malignant adrenal gland tumor, 17 - with benign tumor of adrenal gland. MRT constitutes the most effective method of topic diagnosis of the adrenal glands tumor, owes multipurpose possibilities, do not deliver radiation load, permits to visualize the vessels without the contrast media usage. The tumor diameter more than 10,1 cm, irregular form, illegible edges, uneven contours, presence of lymphadenopathy, regional or remote metastases constitutes diagnostic criterions of the adrenal glands malignant tumors. The intensity of MRT signal could not be used for differential diagnosis of malignant and benign tumors of adrenal glands.