Potential Utility of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound in the Preoperative Evaluation of Primary Hyperparathyroidism.

Objectives: We aimed to compare the effectiveness of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), technetium Tc 99m methoxyisobutylisonitrile ( Tc-MIBI) single-photon emission computed tomographic (SPECT) scintigraphy, and high-resolution ultrasound (US) in the detection of a pathologic parathyroid gland in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT).

Methods: Twenty-nine consecutive patients with pHPT were prospectively enrolled and underwent preoperative imaging with Tc-MIBI SPECT scintigraphy, high-resolution US, and CEUS and subsequent parathyroidectomy. Contrast-enhanced US examinations were performed by an experienced examiner who was blinded to the results of scintigraphy and high-resolution US.