Ectopic parathyroid adenoma with Tc-99m MIBI washout: role of SPECT

Clin Nucl Med. 2006 Nov;31(11):713-5. doi: 10.1097/01.rlu.0000242692.78833.4f.

Abstract

The authors present a case of a 71-year-old woman with clinical and biochemical features of primary hyperparathyroidism and a history of right pneumonectomy. An ultrasound scan did not demonstrate any abnormality. A planar Tc-99m methoxyisobutylisonitrile (Tc-99m MIBI) scan showed an area of minimally increased uptake within the right hemithorax. However, unlike most adenomas, this demonstrated washout similar to the thyroid at 90 minutes and 3 hours. Subsequent SPECT imaging clearly showed the lesion in the superior right hemithorax. A CT scan and angiogram confirmed the presence of this mass. After surgery, histology confirmed the diagnosis of a parathyroid adenoma. Postoperatively, the calcium and PTH levels returned to normal.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenoma / diagnostic imaging*
  • Adenoma / metabolism
  • Adenoma / surgery
  • Aged
  • Choristoma / diagnostic imaging*
  • Choristoma / metabolism
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Metabolic Clearance Rate
  • Parathyroid Glands*
  • Parathyroid Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Parathyroid Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Parathyroid Neoplasms / surgery
  • Radiopharmaceuticals / pharmacokinetics
  • Technetium Tc 99m Sestamibi* / pharmacokinetics
  • Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon / methods

Substances

  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Technetium Tc 99m Sestamibi