Ottavio Piccin1, Pasquale D'Alessio2, Eleonora Cioccoloni2, Luca Burgio2, Cristina Poggi3, Paola Altieri4, Valentina Vicennati4, Andrea Repaci4, Uberto Pagotto4, Ottavio Cavicchi2. 1. Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, IRCSS-Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Bologna, Policlinico Sant'Orsola, via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy. Electronic address: ottavio.piccin2@unibo.it. 2. Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, IRCSS-Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Bologna, Policlinico Sant'Orsola, via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy. 3. Department of Radiology, IRCSS-Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Bologna, Policlinico Sant'Orsola, via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy. 4. Division of Endocrinology, IRCSS-Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Bologna, Policlinico Sant'Orsola, via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Preoperative imaging in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism provides important localization information, allowing the surgeon to perform a focused surgery. However there are no evidence-based guidelines suggesting which preoperative imaging should be used, resulting in a risk of excessive prescription of exams and waste of economic resources. The main purpose of this study was to describe our experience on the performance of various imaging techniques for the preoperative localization of abnormal parathyroid gland/s, with a focus on the sensitivity and specificity of each technique. Secondly, we carried out an analysis of the cost utility of each technique in order to determine the most clinical and cost-effective combination of localization studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Records of 336 patients who underwent parathyroidectomy were retrospectively examined comparing imaging and intraoperative/histopathologic findings to evaluate the accuracy in parathyroid detection of each imaging technique. Costs were determined by regional health system reimbursement. RESULTS: We found that the sensitivity of color Doppler US was significantly higher than SPECT (p 0,023), while the sensitivity of 4D-CT was significantly better than US (p 0,029) and SPECT (p 0,0002). CONCLUSIONS: In experienced hands color Doppler US is a highly sensitive technique especially in patients with no thyroid diseases. In patients with concomitant thyroid pathology, the combination of US and 4D-CT represents a reliable localization technique.
PURPOSE: Preoperative imaging in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism provides important localization information, allowing the surgeon to perform a focused surgery. However there are no evidence-based guidelines suggesting which preoperative imaging should be used, resulting in a risk of excessive prescription of exams and waste of economic resources. The main purpose of this study was to describe our experience on the performance of various imaging techniques for the preoperative localization of abnormal parathyroid gland/s, with a focus on the sensitivity and specificity of each technique. Secondly, we carried out an analysis of the cost utility of each technique in order to determine the most clinical and cost-effective combination of localization studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Records of 336 patients who underwent parathyroidectomy were retrospectively examined comparing imaging and intraoperative/histopathologic findings to evaluate the accuracy in parathyroid detection of each imaging technique. Costs were determined by regional health system reimbursement. RESULTS: We found that the sensitivity of color Doppler US was significantly higher than SPECT (p 0,023), while the sensitivity of 4D-CT was significantly better than US (p 0,029) and SPECT (p 0,0002). CONCLUSIONS: In experienced hands color Doppler US is a highly sensitive technique especially in patients with no thyroid diseases. In patients with concomitant thyroid pathology, the combination of US and 4D-CT represents a reliable localization technique.