Failure of ablation of a mediastinal parathyroid adenoma by repeated contrast staining

In a patient with primary hyperparathyroidism an attempt was made to ablate a middle mediastinal parathyroid gland by forceful staining with radiographic contrast material. The gland was stained on two separate occasions, two weeks apart. Both times the serum calcium level temporarily fell to the normal range but reverted to abnormal levels. The patient ultimately required surgery for correction of hypercalcemia. The mechanism of staining and possible reasons for failure as well as potential complications are discussed.     

Localization of an occult insulinoma by intraoperative ultrasonography

Intraoperative ultrasonography has not been used previously to locate an insulinoma that was not surgically palpable or that could not be seen by selective arteriography. In this report we described a patient with an insulinoma localized to the pancreatic head identified by transhepatic portal venous sampling but not by selective arteriography or palpation. At operation intraoperative ultrasonography demonstrated an 8 mm tumor in the pancreatic head and guided the successful enucleation.     

CT of American Burkitt lymphoma

One hundred abdominal and chest CT scans in 29 patients with American Burkitt lymphoma were reviewed. Abdominal and/or pelvic masses were the most common finding and were detected in 13 (45%) patients. Masses indicating relapse were noted in three (10%) additional patients. Ascites and retroperitoneal involvement were noted in seven and five patients, respectively. Other findings included hepatic lesions, splenomegaly, gastric wall abnormalities, renal enlargement, urate nephropathy, and bony involvement. Pleural effusions and two mediastinal masses were noted on chest scans. CT was found to be a rapid screening procedure and especially useful in delineating the size and intrathoracic extension of abdominal masses, defining deep pelvic diseases, assessing the response to therapy, and defining areas of relapse. Lack of retroperitoneal fat and inadequate opacification of bowel loops were frequent problems that limited the value of CT scans.     

Basilar venous plexus of the posterior fossa: a potential source of error in petrosal sinus sampling

Sampling of serum from the inferior petrosal sinus can provide important information about the source of elevated adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels. This often leads to improved results of pituitary surgery for Cushing disease. The authors describe a successful catheterization technique and illustrate the venous anatomy of the inferior petrosal sinuses and basilar plexus.     

Localization of islet cell tumors by dynamic CT: comparison with plain CT, arteriography, sonography, and venous sampling

Ten patients with suspected islet cell tumors (seven with possible gastrinomas, three with insulinomas) underwent diagnostic evaluation with dynamic CT scanning, routine CT scanning, angiography, and sonography. Venous sampling was also performed in selected instances. Nine sites of gastrinoma and three insulinomas were confirmed surgically in eight patients. Two patients had negative surgical explorations. Routine CT demonstrated five of the nine gastrinomas and one of two insulinomas. Angiography was positive in six of nine gastrinomas and all three insulinomas. Sonography showed only two of the nine gastrinomas and two of the three insulinomas. Dynamic CT scanning demonstrated three additional lesions (two gastrinomas, one insulinoma) not visible on routine CT scanning. Although most of these lesions were visible arteriographically, dynamic CT scans at the appropriate level localized the pathology in the transverse plane and greatly aided in surgical resection of these lesions. Dynamic CT scanning is a useful adjunct to routine angiographic and CT workup of patients with islet cell tumors.     

Parathymic parathyroid: CT, US, and angiographic findings

Six patients with primary hyperparathyroidism caused by an undescended parathymic adenoma are described. All glands were anterior to the common carotid artery at the level of the hyoid bone. Blood supply was from the superior thyroid artery, and venous drainage was into the superior thyroid vein. Ultrasound (one of five) and computed tomography (two of six) were rarely positive, but glands can be detected with both modalities if the examination is carried high enough. Glands within the carotid sheath are generally lower in the neck and have a blood supply from the inferior thyroid artery with drainage into the vertebral veins.     

Work in progress: abnormal parathyroid glands. Comparison of nonselective arterial digital arteriography, selective parathyroid arteriography, and venous digital arteriography as methods of detection

Nonselective arterial digital arteriography (NSADA), selective parathyroid arteriography (SPA), and venous digital arteriography (VDA) were compared as methods of detecting parathyroid enlargement in 14 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism undergoing preoperative localization following unsuccessful neck surgery. All 14 had SPA and NSADA, consisting of contrast injections into the ascending aorta, innominate artery, and left subclavian artery; 7 also had VDA. Surgery was performed in 9 patients, and 2 additional glands were confirmed by fine-needle aspiration and venous sampling. Parathyroid glands could not be located in 3 patients, who were not re-explored. SPA demonstrated 11/13 abnormal glands (85%). NSADA detected 7/13 (54%), and there were 2 false positives. VDA showed 5/6 glands detected by NSADA (83%); the seventh patient did not have VDA. The overall quality of VDA was inferior to NSADA. Although NSADA and VDA are less sensitive than SPA, they are safer and easier to perform and should be the initial vascular screening procedures following unsuccessful parathyroid surgery.