Background: Minimally invasive parathyroidectomy is the procedure of choice for primary hyperparathyroidism due to parathyroid adenoma. Adequate perioperative adenoma localization is essential for this operation. We describe a technique using ultrasound to perform minimally invasive parathyroidectomy.
Methods: 99mTc sestamibi scanning was performed on patients with primary hyperparathyroidism to localize parathyroid adenomas; no intraoperative gamma probe was used. We also performed pre- and intraoperative ultrasound scanning to localize these adenomas.
Results: All patients underwent successful localization and removal of their parathyroid adenomas. At follow-up, all patients were well, with calcium within normal limits.
Conclusion: The use of intraoperative ultrasound facilitates minimally invasive parathyroidectomy and may obviate the need for intraoperative 99mTc sestamibi scanning.