Computed tomography of the parathyroids: The value of density measurements to distinguish between parathyroid adenomas of the lymph nodes and the thyroid parenchyma
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 597-603 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Diagnostic and interventional imaging |
| Volume | 93 |
| Issue number | 7-8 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2012 |
| Publication type | A1 Journal article-refereed |
Abstract
Purpose: To compare the densities of parathyroid adenomas, lymph nodes and the thyroid parenchyma during multi-phase cervico-thoracic computed tomography to determine the differentiating threshold values. Materials and methods: This study comprises 30 patients operated for a parathyroid adenoma after computed tomography without injection and then 45 and 70 seconds after the injection of an iodine based contrast product (350 mgI/mL, 150 mL, 3 mL/s). The density of the adenomas, lymph nodes and thyroid was measured during the three phases (D0, D45, D70). The relative enhancement (RE) at 45 seconds was calculated: RE = (D45-D0)/D0. Results: A significant difference was found in the spontaneous density of the parathyroid adenomas of the thyroid (P <0.01) with a threshold value of 75 HU. A significant difference is found in the enhancement after injection of the adenomas and lymph nodes (P <0.01). The adenomas present an enhancement peak at 45 seconds while the maximum enhancement of the lymph nodes is at 70 seconds. At 45 seconds, a threshold value of 114 HU and an RE 125% allows them to be distinguished (sensitivity and specificity 0.96). Conclusion: Measurement of the densities can differentiate between the parathyroid adenomas, lymph nodes and thyroid.
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Keywords
- 4D computed tomography, Computed tomography, Hyperparathyroidism, Parathyroid glands, Parathyroid tumours