High-Resolution, Real-Time Ultrasonography in the Preoperative Location of Parathyroid Tumors

Abstract

ON theoretic grounds, B-mode ultrasonography is an ideal tool for studying the parathyroids. It is a safe, noninvasive method, and operation of the equipment requires no special skills. To date, however, conventional diagnostic ultrasound instruments have lacked the necessary resolving power for accurate delineation of parathyroid tumors. Although computed tomography has proved useful in locating mediastinal parathyroid tumors,1 it does not reliably allow discrimination between parathyroid and thyroid tissue in the neck. There is also the unique problem, in patients facing reoperation, of "sparkler" artifacts produced by metal clips that have been used for hemostasis or for marking unresected glands . . .