| Abstract
Introduction: Preoperative localization modalities for patients with primary hyperparathyroidism
today play an important role in clinical decision making, surgical procedure, and the prognosis
of patients. One of the most common preoperative imaging modalities is the sestamibi scan
labeled with technetium-99m, which is capable of localizing parathyroid lesions in primary
hyperparathyroidism patients with a high sensitivity.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 25 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism referred to
endocrine clinic of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences during 2016-2018 were enrolled. All
patients underwent a preoperative sestamibi scan. Comparing the results of the scan with the
surgical findings as a standard gold method for diagnosis, the diagnostic value of the scan was
evaluated for the localization of parathyroid lesions.
Results: According to the items observed in surgery and pathologic findings, the sensitivity
of sestamibi scan for the localization of parathyroid lesions was 84.6%. Specificity, positive
predictive value, and negative predictive value were 95.6%, 89.6%, and 94.8%, respectively. A
significant relationship was observed between the type of lesion and the sensitivity of sestamibi
scan (P=0.002).
Conclusion: Sestamibi scan has a high sensitivity, and diagnostic and therapeutic value
for patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. However, the existence of other pre- and
intraoperative localization modalities, at the request of surgeons, is useful and warranted to
reduce the rate of recurrent surgery as well as to minimize false negatives |