Parathyroid Adenomas and Hyperplasia on Four-dimensional CT Scans: Three Patterns of Enhancement Relative to the Thyroid Gland Justify a Three-Phase Protocol

Abstract

Parathyroid adenomas and hyperplasia can be grouped into three relative enhancement patterns based on a protocol with a non-contrast-enhanced and two contrast-enhanced phases. The type B pattern is most common and could be diagnosed with two contrast-enhanced phases. However, almost one quarter of lesions have the type C pattern and thus could be missed without the non-contrast-enhanced phase.